THE 



Old and New 



MONONGAHELA 



^^ 



\ 



\ 



% 



-\ BY- 



John S. Van Voorhis. A. M., M. D. 

BELLEVERNON, PA. 




pittsbcrou, pa. 
Nicholson, Printer am> Rinuer. 



/^ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, 
in the year 1893, by 

.JOHN S. VAN VOORIIIS. 

IN THE OFFICE OF THE LiBKAKIAN OF CONGRESS, 

AT Washington. D. C, 
Jh 12 1908 



CONTENI^S. 



Monongaliela Valley 5 

^Early White Settlers : 

Early Navigation 8 

Monongaliela Navigation Company 8 

Steamboat Packets 9 

'-Transportation by Wagons 11 

, Early Farmi ng 11 

Whiskey and Stilliiouses 14 

Historical Address by J. S. Van Voorhis, M. D 15 

Letter from George P. Fulton 29 

T. Dedication of Public School House, Monongahela City 33 

T ne New School House Destroyed by Fire 34 

Address of Prof. George P. Fulton at the Re-dedication of the Public 

School House in Monongahela City 35 

Ke-dedication of the School House in Monongahela City 40 - 

Old Time School Houses 40 

.ife of William Colho.n 42 

Jld Time Schools 51 

Schools in Later Days 57 

Horse Shoe Church, Wiliiamsport, Monongahela City 60 

Rev. John Kerr 66 

The Church on the Hill , 69 

Rev. A. H. Kerr '...'. 74 

Reminiscences of 1840 .^ 75 

Mrs. Jane Fulton Power 77 

Dr. George E. Lytle 78 

Mrs. Margaret Lowry Everhart 79 

Mrs. Sarah F. Stevenson 80 

William J. Markell 81 

Historical Address of J. S. Van Voorhis, M. D., November 15th, 1892, 

on the One Hundredth Anniversary of Monongahela City, Pa.... 83 

West Monongahela 116 

Monongahela only 117 

Monongahela City Methodist Episcopal Church 118 

Cyrus Underwood 135 

IraR. Butler 137 

Elias Watkins 144 

Richard Stockdale 146 

Mark Borland 147 

Hon. Alexander Hervey Houston 149 

Aunt Margaret Philips 150 



iv. Content^. 

The Black— Beutley -King Families 151 

William Jones Family 15G 

The Alexander Family IGO 

Mrs. Rose Ann Davidson 160 

Joseph Alexander 164 

Death of William Wickerham in 1879 165 

Death of John King in 1881 168 

-Death of Dr. Wni. H. King 170 

John E. Shaffer. M. D 171 

The Walker Family 176 

Samuel Frew 180 

Death of Mrs. Sarah Wilson ISO 

Scott Family 182 

Moses Scott 185 

Hon. James Scott 186 

Van Voorhis Family 186 

Hon. Daniel Van Voorhis 191 

Isaac Van Voorhis 1^9 

Death of Mrs. James H. Van Voorhis 212 

- Mrs. Lizzie Van Voorhis Cunningham..,..- 213 

The Smith Family— Dr. Bela Smith 216 

George P. Fulton 226 

Prof. George P. Fulton's Mother 228 

Death of Mrs. Mary Finley 231 

The Hair Family— James Hair 233 

Death of Uriah Hair 238 

The Late Rev. G. M. Hair 238 

The Sample Family 240 

Alexander Wilson 241 

The Gordon Family 245 

Jesse Martin 250 

The McFarland Family 2.52 

The McGrew Family 254 

The Beazell Family— B. F. Beazell 255 

James K. Marshall 260 

The Teeple Family 261 

Gen. John M. Davis.. 265 

The Frye Family 268 

Dr. Mathew Porter Morrison 274 

The Death of Joseph S. Morrison, Esq 275 

A Tender Memory 277 

Death of Maj. A. P. Morrison 278 

Mrs. Eliza Morrison Alexander 280 

The Morrison Family 280 

Hon. T. K. Hazzard 281 

Dr. Wilson dead 285 

Dr. R. F. Biddle 286 



Mrs. M. J. Biddle 289 

Samuel Pollock dead 290 

J. Sutton Wall 290 

One Hundred Years 393 

Belleveruon 399 

The Presbyterian Church of Bellevernon 331 

^The Cunningham Family 326 

Bellevernon Sabbath School 339 

Methodist Episcopal Church of Bellevei'non 333 

Stewards in Bellevernon M. E. Church 343 

Free Will Baptist Church 347 

Disciple Church of -Bellevernon 351 

The First School in Bellevernon 353 

The New Brick School House in Bellevernon 359 

Bellevernon Academy 861 

Post Office and Telegraph 363 

Newspapers 365 

Glass Works and Business Men in Bellevernon 366 

The Grand Army Post 368 

I. O. O. F r. 373 

Other Lodges 375 

Natural Gas History (1887) 376 

Belleveruon Electric Heat and Light Company 377 

Belleveruon Water Company 377 

Bellevernon Bridge Company 377 

First National Bank of Bellevernon 377 

Cleveland Coal Company 378 

Romana Land Company 379 

Washington and Westmoreland Ferry Company 379 

The Militia, Fourth of July, Temperance. Centennial and Railroads 379 

North Bellevernon 383 

Gibsonton 388 

Gibsonton in 1890 ; 392 

Natural Gas. 397 

Glass — Works of R. C. Schmertz & Co 403 

Extracts from Bellevernon Enterprise — S. F. Jones, Robert J. Linton, 

Thomas L, Daly and J. S. Van Voorhis 406 

Belleveruon — "All things come to him who waits" 410 

Address of Welcome delivered by Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis, October 15, 
1889, at the Opening of the McKeesport & Belleveruon Railroad 

to Bellevernon 418 

An Opening Opened and Big Day of Celebration 436 

Nathaniel Everson and Miscellaneous Matters 430 

Speers 435 

Louis M. Speer 437 

Death of Col. William F. Speer.... 442 

David Furnier 443 



vi. Contcntf<. 

Corwin 449 

J. Westley Corwin 451 

Death of Mrs. Sarah A. Springer 453 

J. B. Gould : 453 

William Eherlieart 456 

Dr. David Porter 459 

Captain Woolsey 460 

Springer Family 460 

Andrew Dnnlevy 464 

Hazelbalter 465 

Tliomas Ward and Frederick Cooper 467 

Captain Joseph Sliepler 468 

Crossed Over the River — Mrs. Robert J. Linton 471 

Rehoboth 473 

Death of Mrs. Anna M. Baker 474 

Hon. George Plunier 475 

Gibsonton Cemetery 479 

Long Branch 479 

Speers 479 

Stockdale 479 

Glassport 480 

Col. Sam. B. Beutley 480 

Mrs. Jane Van Voorhis 483 

Building and Loan Associations in Bellevernon 483 

Charleroi 485 

Robert McKeau 485 



ERRATA. 



Page 148, fifth line from bottom, read 1883 not 1833. 

Page 220, twelfth line from bottom, read Harriet, daughter of Dr. Smith, 
married John Fuller, late of Connellsville, Pa., instead of daughter of Dr. 
Smith Fuller. 

Wherever the name Beezel occurs, it should read Beazell. 

On page 144, Elias Watkins instead of Watson. 

Page 186, sixth line from bottom, read Castellum, not Casteltum. 

In eighteenth line from bottom read Ibela instead of Kela. 

Wherever Daily read Daly. 



MONONGAHELA VALLEY, 



From different sources amid the mountains of West Vir- 
ginia tlie Monongahela River arises, and running in a northerly 
direction at Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania, it joins the Allegheny 
to form the Ohio. It is situated principally between 41° and 
42° north latitude and in the 80° degree of longitude 'west of 
Greenwich. Its water flows gently from pure mountain springs 
and in its course to the mouth fails to gather the malarial 
poison. The valley for the most part is bordered with moder- 
ately high mountains and hills which abound in every variety 
of minerals, timber, and especially in bituminous coal, petro- 
leum and natural gas. The coal formation susceptible of being 
mined is estimated at 400 square miles. Petroleum and nat- 
ural gas are of recent discovery and their development into 
practical use of very modern date and limited extent. The 
soil of the valley is rich in fertility and capable of producing 
grain and vegetation of almost every variety. The forests 
originally abounded in chestnut, pine, cedar, oaks, nuxple, ash, 
walnut, hickory, poplar, beech, but of late years timber has 
been literally wasted to make lumber and obtain space for the 
productions in agriculture. 

The principal towns of the valley in Pennsylvania are New 
Geneva, Brownsville, Fayette City and Bellevernon in Fayette 
County ; Greensboro, in Greene County ; Millsboro, Freder- 
icktown, West Brownsville, California, Coal Centre, AUenport, 
West Bellevernon, C-harleroi, Lock No. 4, Columbia and Coal 
Blutf, in Washington ('ounty, besides Monongahela, recently 
formed into a city. In Westmoreland County are situated 
Gibsonton Mills, North Bellevernon and Webster. Within 
the limits of Allegheny County, outside of the City of Pitts- 
burgh, are located C-arrollton, Elizabeth and West Elizabeth, 

2 



6 TIk' ( >UI <ni(l ^\V?r JSIoiidiKjahpia. 

Coal Valley, Dravosburg, McKeesport, Duqnesiie, Fort Perry, 
Braddock and Homestead. The Monongahela River is made 
up, besides the large branches in West Virginia, from the 
Cheat River, Dunkard Creek, Ten Mile, Dunlap's Creek, Big 
Redstone, Pike Ru)i, Little Redstone, Maple Creek, Pigeon 
Creek, Mingo Creek, Peters Creek and Youghiogheny River. 
At what period the tirst white people came into the valley 
is not definitely known, but it is a well established fact that 
the whites as now considered were not the primitive settlers ; of 
the aborigines, we have no history other than relics which 
aljound, and traditional stories handed down from generation 
to generatioji. Mounds, graveyards and battlefields contain- 
ing skeletons, war implements and other peculiar relics are 
found to abound in the valley. They to a good degree differ 
from those generally conceded to belong to the Indian tribes. 
The forts as they are called in modern day, were intelligently 
located for effective service for both oti:'ensive and defensive 
warfare. These forts were, for the most part fixed at points 
not easily accessible by an enemy, whilst the battlefields and 
burial places were chosen plateau grounds wdiich the defensive 
had prepared in advance of the approach of the attacking 
party. Those killed on the field were buried in a mcnnid, 
many of which still remain. The forts were erected in an 
elliptical form and the dead killed inside were buried in a circle 
on the inner edge of the fortifications. They were laid in a 
trench on the left hip in a semi-sitting posture with the face 
looking to the east. An earthen pipe and bowl were interred 
wdth the body, but rarely is found any war instrument, for the 
reason it is supposed, that such would be useful in battle 
again, and mainly because the passage to the land of the great 
spirit was only to be accomplished by peace measures. 

Early White Settlers. 

Prior to the expedition of General Braddock the valley was 
very sparsely settled, but the unfortunate career of this General 
seemed to have given a new impetus to this part of Western 



Tlw Old and 2\i'ii' MoiioiKjali'lti. 7 

Pennsylvania, or Virginia, as it was originally called. The 
road over which this unfortunate man traveled in marching to 
his fatal battlefield on the Monongahela is still marked and well 
known in history. The early immigrants were generally from the 
eastern states, although many came direct from foreign coun- 
tries. The Scotch- Irish were among the most prominent settlers, 
and did much by their manners and strict habits to give caste 
to the diti'erent settlements. The early settlers encountered 
many and very hazardous dangers and difficulties which in mod- 
ern times cannot be fully estimated. Block houses for refuge 
and defense were established in every community into which 
in times of threatened danger families resorted. These houses 
were different from Indian forts. They were built of round 
logs, compact and capable of resisting the arrow of the enemy. 
Guns, generally held by the whites, were used in defense and 
proved superior to the war implements of the attacking party. 
On landing in their new home the first duty was to erect a 
cabin for shelter, and then to select a suitable spot to cultivate 
for use when the stores carried with them were exhausted. 
The cabin was built of round logs, the interstices were chunked 
and daubed with common clay, or catan clay, which was a mix- 
ture of clay and grass, or straw. The chimney was on the out- 
side and made of split logs at the bottom or fireplace, so called, 
and the top was of smaller split sticks, the whole being well 
daubed with clay mortar. The fireplace was lined with stone 
and mortar so as as to prevent it catching fire. The floor, 
where there was any, was made of split logs hewn in shape to 
closely fit together. One window furnished the light, and one 
door hung on wooden hinges, with a latch and string, the mode 
of entrance. The latter drawn in was the lock to prevent en- 
trance. The latchstring hanging out was always a token of 
welcome to the cabin. The furniture was for the most part 
rude and made impromptu; the chairs and tables were home- 
made. The grand old chest, brought from the east, was ample 
for clothing. The cupboard ware was pewter, and the bed and 
bedding were brought with them. There was no bedstead save 



8 Tli( ( fJd (i)i(J New Mori(>)i<ia]irl(i. 

that made by the few tools on hand from split timber. Immi- 
gration generally took place in the spring of the year, so that 
the first crop to be raised was corn and fiax, the former to pro- 
vide food for man and beast and the latter for clothing. The 
cabin was always located near a spring from which could be 
obtained water for the household and stock. The early settlers 
differed very much in the choice of location, some pre- 
ferring the high and others the low lands. Along the creeks 
sites for sawmills were the choice of those who had a genius 
for water machinery, although the original mills were the wind 
mill and the tramp mill. 

Early Navigation. 

The primitive mode of navigation on the Monongahela con- 
sisted in the simple Indian canoe, propelled by an oar or oars 
according to the taste of the owner. The canoe was beauti- 
fully constructed by the unskilled hand and his bark, thus 
built was the pride of the untutored heart. Generally they 
were made from a solid section of a tree hewn into shape by 
the rude tomahawk. Sometimes the material was of bark and 
nicely ornamented. The successor to the canoe was the skiff, 
as it is now called. The original freight crafts were constructed 
in the form of rafts of logs, but on the coming into date of 
the saw mills, the flatboat or broad horn took their place. The 
flatboats served a good purpose for many years and were super- 
seded in the early part of the present century by the keel- 
boat. Keelboats gave place in due time to steamboats. The 
first steamboat was built in the valley at West Brownsville but 
by whom and when is not fully settled. The Enterprise, it is 
generally believed, was the first constructed in the valley. 

Monongahela Navigation Company. 

After several attempts to have the general government perma- 
nently improve the navigation of the Monongahela, without 
any practical success the "Monongahela Navigation Company" 



TJic (>Ul and Neil-' Moninujahela. 9 

was cintliofized by an Act of Assembly of the State of Penn- 
sylvania, March 31, 1836. The only improved condition of 
navigation heretofore had been the construction of chutes and 
wing-walls at the different shoal points. The improvement by 
this company proposed was a series of locks and dams. No. 1 
and 2 were put in use in October 1841. Nos. 3 and 4 were 
completed for use to Brownsville, November 13, 1844. Other 
locks and dams have been completed at different times until, 
with the aid of the government improvement, below Morgan- 
town W. Va., navigation is easy and complete to that point. 
The slackwater is now in perfect working order, (1893) so that 
the steamboat company run its boats from Pittsburg to Mor- 
gantown at all seasons of the year. 

This 8th day of November 1889, the locks and dams are 
complete to Morgantown, W. Ya. , the steamboat James G. 
Blaine passed up from Pittsburgh to that place being the first 
to make the trip. 

Steamboat Packets. 

Prior to the completion of the slackwater to Brownsville 
there were no regular packets on the river. The Liberty, Ex- 
change, Oella, Massachusetts, Export and that class of boats 
did duty as carriers of freight and passengers whenever the 
depth of watei- would allow. The Pittsburgh and Brownsville 
Packet Company was organized in 1844 by Adam Jacobs, 
G. W. Cass, J. K. Moorhead, J. L. Dawson, 1. C. Woodward 
and others. 

The Consul was the first boat built for the company ; she 
was commanded by Captain Samuel Clark. Shortly afterward 
the Louis McLane was put on the line, under the command 
of Captain Adam Jacobs. These boats in 1850 were super- 
seded by the Baltic, Captain Jacobs, and the Atlantic, 
Captain James Parkinson. In the year 1851 the Bed- 
stone was placed on the line, witli I. C. Woodward as 
captain. After a short term of service she was sold and a few 
months afterwards she exploded her boilers near Cincinnati, 
killing the engineer and several others. 



10 lh( (Jld (!i(<l jW'tr M<>iio)i(/aJicJ(i. 

In 1852 the Jefferson and Luzerne were put in the trade to 
take the place of the Baltic and Atlantic. Captain Morgan 
Mason was put in command of the Jeiferson and Elisha Ben- 
net the Luzerne. In 1856 the Telegraph, Captain I. C. 
Woodward, was built. The slackwater now being finished 
above Brownsville, the Jefferson, Captain G. W. C'lark, was 
put above to connect with the Telegraph and Luzeriie. 

In 1859 the Gallatin, Captain Clark, and Dunbar, Captain 
Bennett, were built. The Dunbar was in service only a very short 
time when she was sold to parties in the lower Ohio. The 
Franklin, with Bennett as captain came out in 1860. In 186-1 
the Fayette was placed on the line, Captain S. C. Speers on 
the roof. In 1866 the E. Bennett was put on the line, with 
Captain M. A, Cox in command. At that time the company 
were running four boats. In 1868 the Peoples' Line, which 
had been operating for a few months with their boats Elector 
and Chieftain, was consolidated with the old line, after which 
the style and corporate title of the company was the Pittsburgh, 
Brownsville and Geneva Packet Company, and by this arrange- 
ment the Elector and Chieftain were added to the line. The 
Geneva was built in 1871 and was in the trade 14 years. 

The stern-wheel boat John Snowden came into service in 
1876, Captain Peter Donaldson in charge. In a short time 
she was sold to Captain L. N, Clark, of Pittsburgh, who turned 
her into an excursion boat. The Bennett and Chieftain were 
lost in the disastrous ice breakup in 1877. In 1878 the Ger- 
mania came out, in charge of Captain P. 11. Abranis. The 
James G. Blaine was built in 1882, M. A. Cox master, and 
has been in continual service ever since. The Adam Jacobs 
made her maiden trip September 15, 1885, Captain M. A. Cox 
in command. This boat was the first to carry the electric 
light, and now, 1893, with the Blaine and Germania, consti- 
tutes the fleet in the line. Before the completion of the Penn- 
sylvania railroad to Pittsburgh the Monongahela was on the 
great route between the west and the east. The packet com- 
pany was a very important link in the route, and the number 



The Old and Nd.f MoiunKjalK hi. 11 

of through passengers carried by its boats prior to 1852 would 
astonish tlie uuKlern enthusiast. 

Tkansi'oktation by Wagons. 

Before the time of raih'oads between the east and west of 
the Allegheny mountains, the freight business to the Mononga- 
hela was carried on by means of the Conestoga road wagons 
drawn by six horses. By this way the freight to Pittsburgh 
was carried exclusively, l>ut after the conipletif>n of the Penn- 
sylvania canal, transportation was divided between the canalboat 
and the wagon. As early as 1817 12,000 wagons, in twelve 
months, passed over the Allegheny mountains from Philadel- 
phia and Baltimore, each with from four to six horses, carrying 
from thirtyfive to forty hundred weight. The cost was about 
%1 per !<!<> weight, in some cases ^10. To transport one ton 
of freight between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, therefore, 
would cost about t>ll<>, and in so doing two weeks, at least, 
of time would be consumed. Now, by the Pennsylvania rail- 
road, a ton between these same cities will only cost §2.87. In 
1817 it cost i^l4 to carry a barrel of Hour from Pittsburgh to 
Philadelphia, and now the charge is only twenty-eight cents. 
At that time the merchant paid $7 per 100 for his dry goods 
hauled from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, the same weight now 
carried for fourteen cents. 

The early immigrants carried much of their household goods 
on horseback, and for years after their arrival at their new 
home they were compelled to make frequent- pilgrimages to the 
east in order to obtain salt, iron, and such like for their use. 
Families combined and sent one or more to procure these things 
for all. The roads over which traveling was accomplished were 
Indian trails, and \\\ many places these were very hard to find. 

Eaki.y Fakmjng. 

The primitive farming was done either with oxen or horses, 
as it suited th(^ taste and abilitv of the owner. The ground 



12 Tin Old and Ncm MoiKnKjoJichi . 

after being cleared was soft and easily turned up by the lionie- 
niade plow, consisting of a straight beam and handles, with a 
wooden mould-board, the share and coulter alone being iron. 
The harrow was triangular in shape, as often we see in modern 
days, but the teeth were of wood and the frame of hewn tim- 
ber. The gears were principally at first such as were brought 
with the settler from the east, but the new ones, and repairing 
was made from ropes, home-made out of tow, which was the 
second quality of flax. 

Sowing of grain was done broadcast, in which the modern 
invention of drilling is not generally admitted to be an im- 
provement. Small grain was gathered with the sickle. After 
the country was somewhat opened up a system of reaping was 
adopted. The fields were run out at the time of sowing in 
what was called lands eight feet wide. Two full hand reapers 
were expected to cut this width and keep up with the gang or 
else be docked in their pay. The best reaper was selected as 
the leader and the rest had to follow not far behind until the end 
of the througJi. It was a beautiful sight to look upon a gang 
of twenty or more reapers. Not unfrequently even the leader 
would retire to the shade, having '•'•given out'' as it was called, 
but in modern parlance such a condition is considered a khd- 
■sf/'oh\ At the end of the tlirofKjJi^ which extended across the 
field, ojie-half of the reapers took up all the sickles and carried 
them back half way to the starting point, where, on the arrival 
of the other half the sickles were taken up, thus the grain cut 
was bound into sheaves by the time the gang reached the be- 
ginning. The two on each land always put their grain in one 
grip so as to facilitate the binding. 

Generally before another round was made, cool water from 
an adjacent spring and whiskey from the green glass bottle 
were handed around and each partook freely to brace up the 
physical nature, yet a drunken man in the harvest field was a 
rare occurence and looked upon as very disgraceful conduct. 
Women on many farms were as expert reapers as men. The 
scarcity of men laborers called the women into service in order 



The Old and JVein MohojK/aheJa. 13 

« 
to save the grain. A days work in the harvest Held was from 
daylight to dark. 

Tlie ])arn was generally erected of round logs in double 
form. The barn roof was made with clap-boards at first, then 
of straw and finally of shingles. The clap-boards were rived 
or split by a tool called a frow, from the best of oak timber. 
These boards were kept in place by what was called knees and 
weight poles. The straw-roof was made of rye straw bound 
in small bundles by a bark withe and these tied neatly to the 
wood-work of the roof. The straw-roof well put on was more 
lasting than any other roof and to this day, we occasionally 
meet with one over half century old. 

In addition to the barn, there was erected (m some farms 
what was known as the barracks, this was about 20 feet square 
with an open floor on which to rest the grain and at each cor- 
ner an upright post at least twenty feet high, on these corners 
a movable roof was placed. By a lever and pins this roof 
could be raised at will, so that as the grain was built up inside, 
it would be moved so as to allow more or less room. 

All these improvements were done pretty much by the 
household itself and the voluntary assistance of the neighbors. 
The tools consisted principally of an axe, hand axe, hand and 
cross-cut saw, draw knife, a frow, a few augers and a gimlet, 
and perhaps a hammer. Nails were not used in the begin- 
ning, but wooden pins. Some of the more wealthy settlers 
brought with them a few shoemaker's tools so that their own 
mending could be done. 

Threshing was done with the flail during the winter. 

The original settlers in western Pennsylvania based their 
titles to farms on the tomahawk right. Having selected a 
desirable spot they encircled it with a line marked by blazing 
trees with an axe. There was no attention to angles, degrees 
and chains, the sole object being to designate the boundaries 
of the tract without reference to the luunber of acres. Lines 
thus indicated were held sacred by all parties and to this day 
are legal. These irregular lines have given rise to ill shaped 



14 Tl(( Old and Netc" MonoiKja/K/la. 

farms, and oven now small tracts are found not included, and 
hence we have vacant land subject to entrv by anyone who 
will take legal means to obtain a title from the kState. In those 
days, sections, half sections and quarter sections were unknown 
and even county and township lines were run according to 
circumstances. 

Whisky and Stillhouses. 

The sale of grain of all kinds was very limited, and unless 
made into whisky there was little demand for it. This was a staple 
production. A still house for its numufacture was erected on 
nearly every farm. The primitive stillhouse was always located 
below some never-failing spring, from which cold water could 
be taken by dugout troughs. Cold water, then as now, was 
essential to the distillery process. The house was built of 
round logs, with clapboard roof. Two copper stills fixed in a 
stone furnace constituted the capacity of the house on which 
was based the license to distill, but sometimes there were more 
than two, as could be seen from the licenses. In ITDI there 
were 272 stills in Washington county. The whisky insurrection 
in 1794 arose from the imposition of an excessive tax upon dis- 
tilled liquors, which affected Washington county especially. Re- 
sistance for a time to the law gave rise to a great deal of trouble, 
the U. S. army having to be called into active duty before the in- 
surgents submitted. The whole thing was finally settled by 
way of a compromise. The use of spirits as a beverage in 
olden time was a prevailing custom. Late as sixty years ago 
it was considered a breach of etiquette not to set out the bottle 
when friends and even ministers called on a visit. The green- 
glass, long-necked (juart bottle was kind of a household god. 
It was present on nearly every occasion. At weddings, corn- 
huskings, wood-choppings, log-rollings, flax-pullings, manure 
frolics, sheep-washing, fish-gigging, house and barn raisings, 
it was an essential element. 



Tlte Old and New Monouaakda. 15 

Historical Address. 

[Historical address delivered by J. S. Van Voorliis. M. D. at tlie dedication of the 
new school house in Monongahela City, Pa., July 1, 18S1, together with a letter 
from Prof. Geo. P. Fulton. 1 

The history of Education in this vicinity, in coniinon with 
other matters of h^cal interest, is shrouded in uncertainty, only 
a few vague and general items being preserved. Looking 
upon our ancestors from a present standpoint, they appear to 
have lived merely for their day only, caring little for the wants 
and .desires of the future. They were content when satisfied 
that they and their offspring had whereof to eat, drink and 
wherewithal to be clothed. In fact, their immediate necessities 
were so urgent as to call for the greater part of their time in 
efforts secure for them what was termed in those days ' ' a 
living." Faith in the precepts of the Bible in its truest ver.no'n 
was innate to the first settlers of our valley ; the strongest 
Puritanical ideas being the literature upon which they founded 
their hopes of the future, never doubting that time and labor 
would in the end verify the prophetic saying, ' ' The wilderness 
and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert 
shall rejoice and blossom as the rose."' Until about the close 
of the last century individual culture consisted chiefly in learn- 
ing to farm in the most primitive manner, which included a 
very limited knowledge of the art of raising grain and the 
manufacture of home-made clothing. The favored few, who 
were privileged to literary attainment, were in full proportion 
at reaching the point of reading, writing and ciphering to the 
Single Rule of Three. Houses erected especially for school 
purposes were unknown. If, perchance, some itinerant indi- 
vidual, representing himself to be a schoolmaster, should hap- 
pen along, an impromptu school house was obtained in the 
shape of some log cabin vacated by the tenant as unfit to oc- 
cupy. The predecessor of the Parkisons, whose name we 
have mislaid, on his arrival found the site on which this rapidly 
growing city is located to be a dense forest of sugar and walnut 
trees, untouched by the hand of art or seioucc. Cotemporary 



16 7//r Old and JVeiii MoiKijKjdJirld. 

with this settlement, was the region around the old Horse Shoe 
Bottom meeting-house filled with immigraiits. Here the older 
Powers, Moodjs, Colvins, McComas, Witherows, Rices, Fryes, 
&c., founded their homes. This church, erected at the close 
of the revolution, was the first in this region, and its organiza- 
tion gave at once new life and vigor to the settlers, and its 
force of character culminated in awaking a desire for more than 
a homespun education. The influence of that congregation 
rapidly grew into such magnitude as to make it a centre of a 
higher state of civilization. Its power attracted the immigrant 
on his way thitherward in his search for a new home, which 
was found by many in the circle of country of which the church 
was the centre. So rapidly was this region taken up by 
new-comers that it for a time overshadowed the river settle- 
ments. From all information we can gather, it is evident that 
the first school at which settlers of this city attended, was lo- 
cated in an old log house that stood near where John With- 
erow's blacksmith shop now stands, and is supposed to have 
been tlie original residence of the older McComas. To add 
more to this influence, on the 19th day of October, 1796, Mr. 
Samuel Ralston, a licentiate from the Presbytery of New Castle, 
was called to preach to this congregation. He was a foreigner 
by birth and education. He was a man not only filled with 
the Holy Ghost, but he was adorned with the highest literary 
attainments found in the old world. In his every day life he 
exemplified the value of education, and impressed the minds 
of his people that it followed hand in hand with religion. The 
good of his teachings socm cropped out in the establishment of 
other schools. During the winter seasons another school was 
opened in the vicinity of the residence of the late Dutton 
Shannon, another at Parkison's Ferry, in an old log house of 
primitive style — by this we mean of unhewn logs. It was a 
dwelling once, used as such, situate in a grove of sugar trees 
on the lot on which stands the residence of Michael Yohe, near 
the old Presbyterian Church, not far from the lot on which 
this beautiful house has been erected. Shades of the departed ! 



TJir Old and Nrin IIouoiKjahela. 17 

thy spirits inaj vet linger aroniul this saured spot whilst we 
dedicate another temple to the god of science. 

Up to this time, and many years afterwards, there was no 
organized effort to establish a nniform system of schools, the 
first attempt in that direction being the assessment and collec- 
tion of a poor tax on the richer to pay the schooling of the 
poorer class of citizens. This new notion had many disadvan- 
tages and iu)t any ^•irtues. It fixed at once a discrimination in 
personal character which was then and is now" distasteful to the 
full-blooded American. 

Schools were taught in several of the old-time houses beside 
the famous old log house already named. A Mrs. JVIcKeever, 
an elderly lady, in 1819 had a school in an old house where 
the depot now stands. Among her scholars were Joseph Warne, 
well known in this vicinity. Edward Tower, father, of G. H. 
and Theo. Tower, of Elizabeth, taught a school not long after- 
wards in the old red house that stood on the lot on which the 
People's Bank now stands. 

A Mr. A^'ictor also taught in the same house. He also had 
Mr. Joseph Warne for a scholar. This teacher boarded with 
Mr. James Warne, who built and lived in the house so long 
occupied by the late Joseph Wilson on Main street. Orlando 
H. Gold taught about the year 1830 in the old red house on 
the river bank, long known as the house in which the late 
Samuel Black kept his first store. The building has long since 
disappeared. Among his scholars were W. J. Alexander, the 
worthy President of your Board of Directors, Charles Bebee, 
Samuel C. King, Wash. Spence, Samuel Guthrie, Wni. Devore, 
Robert McGrew, Franklin Manown and many other formerly 
well-known boys. 

Mr. Joseph Grieves, a man of delicate constitution — who 
lived near the toll-gate up the pike — also taught in the old red 
house on the river bank, the above-mentioned boys constituting 
many of his scholars. For some reason, duriiig the progress 
of his school he packed up liis paraphernalia, consisting of rod, 
ferule and dinner l)asket, ami moved his (piarters to the red 



18 The Old and New Monongaliela. 

house, where the People's Bank now stands, he, in common 
with his patrons, having a peculiar taste for a red house. In 
after years no doubt many of them were gratified to see brick 
substituted, whether on account of the red color or not, we can 
only have our opinion. In a recent interview with Moses 
Arthurs, now a resident of this city and perhaps with us to- 
night, he informed us that he taught a school in 1831 in an old 
house which stood on the river bank on the upper corner of the 
lot on which the old Huston mansion then stood — above the 
old wharf. Mr. B. F. Bentley was one of his scholars, if we 
are not mistaken. 

In the year 1834 Mr. E. A. Talbot opened a school in the 
old Methodist Church, a part of which can still be seen near 
the new wharf, and Miss Clarke, an aunt of S. C. and W. H. 
Wilson, taught a school during the same year in the old house 
formerly known as the Dorcas Cooper house, opposite the 
present residence of Richard Stockdale, on Main street. To 
this school of Miss Clarke Mr. Underwood first sent his child- 
ren after his arrival in the place. Under her teaching my old 
friend and schoolmate ' ' Uncle Abe, ' ' learned his first lesson 
of wisdom; and perhaps to the early impressions of her rulings 
mav be attributed the fact that to this day he has eschewed 
matrimony. Mr. Watson, well known among the boys as Blue 
Bcord^ also kept school in this house. It seemed in those days 
that no kind of a building except an old house could be used 
for a school house. The idea of erecting a school house was 
not even among the possibilities. Such, in a general way, was 
the condition of school matters in this vicinity prior to the 
adoption of the common school system of 1834, and let it ever 
be to its credit that the township embracing Williamsport was 
among the first to accept the provisions of the law. By the 
Act of Assembly dated March 28, 1781, the county of Wash- 
ington was divided into thirteen townships, one of which num- 
ber was called Fallowtield, and included within its territory the 
district now known as Monongahela City. All schools to which 
we have alluded were within its limits until the formation of 



Tlie Old and Neic Mouongahela. 19 

Carroll, September 30, 1834. It will be noticed that Miss 
Clarke and Mr. Watson were the last to teach in the town whilst 
it was connected with old Fallowfield. Before the school sys- 
tem was organized, Carroll Township was formed and Williams- 
])ort was within its limits and under its jurisdiction for all 
purposes. 

The first election in the new township was held at the house 
of Joseph Hamilton, who kept the hotel now known as the 
Miller House, on Main street. At this election a Board of 
School Directors was elected for the first time. On this Board 
devolved the duty of organizing the Township for school pur- 
poses. This was no easy task. We can recall but the names 
of David Williams, uncle of your honorable Secretary, Isaac 
Van Voorhis, my venerated father, and Geo. Morrison, now 
residing in Uniojitown, as members of that Board. The Board, 
for the time being, divided the Township into convenient sub- 
districts, as required by law, using for school-houses whatever 
okl buildings could be obtained. An old house on the hillside, 
to the left of the road leading from Yerty.'s Run to Galbreath's, 
furnished one in which a one-armed man was teacher. He 
being barred out at one time at the approach of the holidays, 
forced an entrance through the clapboard roof and soon settled 
the boys with a severe druMinf/^ as it was called. He was a 
strict but succesful teacher introducing many new and practical 
ideas not dreamed of in old time philosophy. This school was 
tinally merged into the one in the stone house at the forks of the 
run, Col. A. T. Gregg, now in this audience, aided in build- 
ing, and in wliich house he taught the first school, thus carrying 
into practice tlie homeopathic dogma, '■'•ShjiUia ■nrailihuf< 
riirarttirr.'' On the hill, above the present residence of AVm. 
Blythe, may yet be seen traces of a log cabin, which, con- 
demned by common consent as unfit for any other use, was 
selected as a suitable school house. It was a retired spot, not 
even a road, much less a house, within sight ; no wonder the 
proprietor was constantly complaining of the depredations of 
such boys as McCarty Williams, Robert Phillips, James Stock- 



20 The Old uitd Nea) Mono/K/dJu-la. 

dale, Rf)bert Van Voorhis, &c., who, not alive to his finer 
feelings, displayed a good deal of faith in old time Nihilism, 
having no disposition to ignore the doctrine well cherished 
everywhere, that the "boy had no pent-up Utkja to contract 
his power'' to roam undisturbed, not being met in those days 
at every crossing by the huge sign of danger as now, bearing 
the inscription, Trespassers, Beware, or if, by chance some 
such bug-bear passed before them, it was quickly demolished 
by the iinger- stone — the boys' native arm of defence. The 
only thing that forced the old-time boy to a hasty retreat was 
the bumble-bee and yellow-jacket. In this school, as already in- 
tiinated, our friend Robt. Phillips was a scholar, and metiiinks 
I can see him yet, as he sat cross-legged on a split log bench, 
with slate and pencil, intent on working out a sum in pounds, 
shillings and pence, or proving to those around him, in his 
peculiar style, how he had solved the question, "that if two 
and two make four, four and four would make eight. ' ' In this 
waste cabin an irishman named Lewis first taught ; he was 
succeeded by Sampsoi^ and Paull. Lewis was Irsh indeed, and 
his pupils were very much inclined to imitate his tivamj^ calling 
have ////yv% sounding the a long instead of a short. The town 
was divided into two sub-districts, one being a double dis- 
trict. The upper end, including Catsburg, attended scho()l in 
a frame house which stood on the island near where the foundry 
now stands, being owned at that time by the heirs of the late 
Elias Watkins. For one term at least this school was taught 
by the late Thos. Collins, Esq. The lower end of town occu- 
pied the old Methodist Church for a time as a school house. 
E. A. Talbot seems to have been the first teacher in this house 
under the new system. He was succeeded in 1835 by a Mr. 
Prescott. He was a relative of the celebrated historian, and 
and was a man of more than ordinary literary attainments. 

After grave consideration the Board of Directors determined 
to erect in each district a brick or stone house. The houses 
built in town under this resoultion was the three-roomed house 
of which the late Alex. Scott was contractor, still standing on 



Th(2 Old and Nev MonongaheJa. 21 

the old Presbyterian Cliureh lot, and the one on the island 
long since ])assed into the river. In the latter house we think 
Thos. Collins was the Urst teacher. These houses were occu- 
pied for the first time in the winter of 1836, having been built 
during the preceding summer. We feel almost certain that 
Nimrod Gregg, brother of Col. A. T. Gregg, taught one of 
the schools in the double house during this winter, and that a 
Mr. Dunn taught the other one. Mr. Dunn was a Yankee 
schoolmaster. He was fresh from Yankee land, and full of 
new ideas in the school business. Pie was soon impressed 
with the fact that he was in a strange land and surrounded by 
habits and customs requiring no little moral courage to break 
into, and as much physical nerve to introduce a n^ departure. 
He took in the situation readily. He came among them as 
Mr. not Master Dunn, and as such he would' have them recog- 
nize him. He intended to teach, not keep school ; that he 
only had one rule, and that was obedience to his will. His 
rule was founded, no doubt, on the moral lesson taught in the 
words of the poet : 

"I ai)i monarch of all I survey ; 

My right there is none to dispute ; , 

I make the little ones to obey. 

And manage the big ones to boot." 

Which being translated, means that he would use the rod to 
the smaller and his boot to the larger scholars. 

Mr. Dunn's career as a teacher was a success. His Scholas- 
tic attainment and gentlenuudy dejtortment, together with 
natural kindness, won for him the esteem of all with whom he 
came in cositact. He was the first to introduce prizes as rewards 
• f merit, and the first school prizes ever given were taken by 
three sisters of your worthy President. 

By the Act of April, 1837, the town of Williamsport was 
incorporated into a borough under the name and style of 
^[onongahela city, and thereafter the schools were placed un- 
der the control of a Board of Directors elected exclusively by 
the voters in the new borouii'li. The lat(^ T. p. Hazzard sue- 



22 Till Old (Did JSfev Monongahela. 

ceeded Dunn as teacher, and carried out more fully new im- 
provements in the art of teaching. He was a fine scholar, a 
kind friend and a generous benefactor. To him, more than 
any one individual, is this community indebted for its well 
known educational spirit. He taught the first classical acade- 
my in the town. Among his pupils were many who are now hold- 
ing or have held important positions in church and State. Un- 
der his teachings a new spirit on the subject of education 
seemed to take hold of the people, giving rise to a desire for 
an advance in the cause, with the selection of teachers of a 
higher order of literary worth. Shortly after his retirement 
from teaching in the old house, the question of examining 
teachers as to their qualifications was raised, and to render the 
matter practical, the late Dr. R. F. Biddle and A. W. David- 
son, editor of the (^arroll Gazette^ were appointed a Board of 
Examiners. 

Among the many other teachers in the old double house 
were Joseph S. Morrison, now a distinguished member of the 
Pittsburgh bar, and R. F. Cooper. Cooper had been among 
Hazzard's earliest pupils, at the age of sixteen having read at 
a public exhibition his masterly literary production entitled, 
''Mutability of all things.'' To him and his teachings your 
speaker owes his earliest thirst for literature. As a teacher, 
penman, writer, printer, editor and soldier, he had few equals. 
His criticism at the early part of the late war on the tactics of 
the United States army, as printed in the Philadelphia North 
Aiiierican^ elicited commendation from the highest military 
authorities of the nation. On the graves of Hazzard and 
Cooper let us not forget to strew^ flowers and shed tears of 
regret over their early demise. Friends, teachers, though 
dead, thy virtues live. 

The rapid growth of the borough soon necessitated the 
erection of a new school building. In the year 1852 the 
Board of Directors, consisting of our venerable friend, Cyrus 
Underwood, as President, and the late Alexander Wilson as 
Secretary, with Joseph Alexander, H. H. Finley, Wilson 



The Old and Nev Monom/ahrfa. 23 

Thompson and Alex. Scott as members, resolved to build a 
new school house, which gave the town the brick house across 
the street from this house. The lot was purchased from Henry 
Fulton. The house cost $7,000. Johnson Baird and Wm. 
Wilson did the stone and brick work, whilst the veteran con- 
tractor, Wm. Coulter — with us to-night — did the carpenter 
work. It was opened for school in the fall of 1853. Andrew 
Brown, now of the "Forks" and T. R. Hazzard, just returned 
from West Newton, were the first teachers, the former having 
been the last to teach in the old building. Too much credit 
cannot be given President Underwood for his untiring industrv 
and foresight in moulding public opinion and carrying the enter- 
prise to a successful issue. He was born in Baltimore, Md., 
August 28, 1807. He first settled in this place in 1834, 
where he has resided ever since, excepting three years he 
served as recorder of the county. He and H. H. Finley are 
the only surviving members of that Board of Directors. We 
are glad to see them both here to-night. Kind friends, faith- 
ful Christians, human benefactors, we bid you God speed. 

The Union school was organized in the fall of 1854, with 
James H. Moore as Principal, and Miss Webster, Miss Bebee 
and Miss Hodgson as assistants. Mr. Moore is deceased. His 
wife, formerly Miss Webster, is now Principal of one of the 
public schools of Indianapolis. This Union school, under the 
supervision of a principal, was a new thing among the people, 
and for a time the plan had many prejudices to overcome, but 
ere the close of the first term it was pronounced a success by 
the bitterest enemy. Owing to many diversified circumstances 
the principal and teachers were very often changed, a policy 
of questionable propriety. Recently, however, the reverse ob- 
tains. We cannot recall the names of all who have in this 
building taught school. We record here that Prof. Jennings 
was the last principal in that building, and that his reputation 
is such as insure us in openly declaring that his career has been 
successful, and that the very walls of the old building join in 
echoing his praise. 



-24: T/ic Old and JVew Monoinjuhda. 

By the provisions of the act incorporating the borough into 
a city, its boundaries were considerably enlarged, adding 
thereby mi^ch to the population, and increasing the number of 
scholars in the public schools. This fact had much to do in 
originating the necessity of this grand edifice, now under the 
process of dedication. This building needs no eulogy from me; 
it speaks for itself in tones that will reverberate through genera- 
tions yet unborn. When this valley, with its hundred villages, 
smoking with the fires of industry, shall quake with the thun- 
derings of the iron horse as it drives with lightning speed its 
human freight from ocean to ocean, this house will be pointed 
to as the proudest monument to science between the rising and 
setting sun. Long after the drapery of the grave shall have 
enshrouded them, the names of Williams, Beaver, King, Ham- 
mond, Shepler, Linn, Blythe, Teeters, Alexander, Coulter, 
Hartrick and others connected therewith, will have an abiding- 
place in the future. The contractors, too, Neil Blythe & Co., 
will not be forgotten, when future generations shall make up 
their jewels of rejoicing. We cannot refrain from turning 
aside for a moment and pointing you to some interesting feat- 
ures in the life of our old friend and schoolmate, Wm. Coulter. 
More than half a century ago we together attended the old 
Colhoon school, near the late residence of Abe Hull. He has 
been so long identified with this community in all its interests, 
and especially in that of its public schools, that his nature has 
had much to do in moulding the disposition and tastes of the 
people. He was born November 11, 1817, in Catsburg, in the 
old house still standing on the corner of the street leading to 
the cemetery. He came on the stage of life, it will thus be 
seen, about the time in the history of that village when 
'" Biddie Caldwell" held queenly sway. He first attended 
school in an old house long since passed into the river, near 
the residence of the late Judge Hill. Llis next school was that 
of Miss Burke, who kept in an old house on the Bollman lot, 
near the residence of the late Noble Woodward. Among the 
scholars were his brother Ralph and Joseph Woodward. He 



The Old and Nein Afonongaheln. 25 

also attended John Dimning's school, kept in the red house 
ah'oady named, where the Peoples Bank stands. In 1827 he 
attended school in the old house in the rear of the grocery of 
D. H. Williams, where Gabriel Silverthorn lived long ago. 
Early in 1828 he attended the old Colhoon school. In 1830 
he went to school to a man named Hepburn, wlio, with his two 
daughters, taught a semi-graded school in the old Dorcas 
Cooper house. Mrs. Margaret Sloan was one of the scholars, 
and has very vivid recollections of the teachers. After the 
adoption of the common school system he was a scholar at the 
Irish Lewis school on Marshall's hill. The last school he ever 
attended was taught by Moses Arthurs, on the Yough river, 
near Robbin's mill. At the close of this school he considered 
himself a graduate in the ' ' Single Rule of Three, ' ' and con- 
gratulated himself, no doubt, that after years of hard study in 
many schools of learning, he had at length acquired sufficient 
proficiency in that Rule as to cpialify him for the carpenter 
trade. He began to learn his trade with a Mr. Kelly, but made 
poor progress, OMang to the fact that Keliy did not have any- 
thing to do. This did not suit the young apprentice as well 
as it would boys now-a-days, so he left Kelly and engaged with 
Amos Robbins to learn the millwright trade. It soon, how- 
c\ er, struck William that curves, wheels and spindles would 
not lead rapidly to wealth, so he suddenly, with rule and square, 
set out fordiimself on his first track, and how well he has pur- 
sued it ever since, let the result of skill all over this neigh- 
borhood bear the testimony. He is with us to-night, and al- 
though his first love of a schoolhouse has been superceded, he 
delights to dwell on the beauties of this grand ])nlace. He has 
i)een a school director in his native town back to the time to 
wliich memory runneth not to the contrary. He has seen the 
old building across the way come and answer its day. Although 
in appearance he looks hale and robust, a twinkle of the eye 
readily detects the facf that the weight of years is upon him. 
God bless you Wm. Coulter. 

Independent of the common school system, the infiuence of 



26 The Old and Neni Monongahela. 

the select and academical schools acted no little part in creating 
that educational spirit which has given your city so widespread 
reputation for its literary taste. Over half a century ago, Dr. 
Ralston, at his residence near Ginger Hill, heard the late Sam- 
uel Hare, Aaron Williams and Samuel Williams recite their 
first lessons in Greek and Latin. Then followed the academies 
of Hazzard and E. S. Blake in the old church on the river bank; 
of J. D. Mason, in the old church on the hill, and of J. P. 
Thompson, in the old carriage factory where your humble ser- 
vant learned to decline "Stella," and conjugate the Greek 
verb TuPTo, Tupso, Tetupha, Etupon. Then followed the 
schools of McFarland and the Morrison brothers and the select 
school of Mary J. Cooper, now Mrs. Biddle, whose presence 
greets us to-night. There, too, was Miss Celia Gillet, daughter 
of the late Rev. N. H. Gillet, of Rehoboth. She, with her father 
and mother, have passed to the better land, whilst Miss Lizzie 
Lockhart is here to-night. Miss Haines, a lady from Canons- 
burg, taught a select school for a time in the old church on the 
river bank; so, also, did Rev. Samuel Hudson, now a distin- 
guished minister in the Cumberland Church. Miss Haines had 
among her scholars Miss Eliza J. Warne, now the wife of John 
Watkins, of Missouri; Miss Hindman and Miss Campbell, of 
Finleyville, Miss Rebecca Van Yoorhis, now of Spearville, 
Kansas, and many others whose names we cannot recall. 

From these schools in this vicinity were sent forth many who 
have taken an important part in the drama of life. J. .W. F. 
White, once a pupil, is now a judge in Pittsburgh, A. H. Kerr 
is an able minister in St. Peters, Minnesota; John McFarland 
was a pioneer minister in Missouri, and died a few years ago 
near Greenfield, Dade county; J. C. Cooper is a prominent 
physician of Philadelphia; W. F. Hamilton is one of the most 
talented ministers in the Synod of Wheeling; John H. Storer 
and James H. Manown have long been prominent physicians 
of West Virginia; A. J. Davis is a physician in the East 
End, Pittsburgh ; Joseph S. and A. P. Morrison are law- 
yers of high standing in Pittsburgh; James Fleming is a sue- 



The Old and Nev^ Monongahela . 27 

cessful physician in Franklin, Ohio; George T. Miller is a 
wealthy coal dealer in this valley, near Lock No. 2; he is 
the father of Rev. Miller, of the Presbytery of Blairsville; 
Dr. W. H. King was one of the most distinguished surgeons 
and physicians in Western Pennsylvania ; he died a few years 
since in the prime of manhood; his remains are sleeping calmly 
in the beautiful cemetery overlooking his native town; Francis 
Gardner remains in statu quo on the farm in the bend of the 
river below Elkhorn; James Scott, one of Hazzard's early 
pupils, studied medicine with Dr. Biddle in the little old office 
that stood where Hoffman's store now is. He first practiced 
his profession in Greenfield, Pa. moved to Ohio, where as physi- 
cian and politician, he has always occupied ar high position. 
For many years he was a leading member of the Ohio Legisla- 
ture; was consul at Honolulu for a term, and is now again a 
member of the legislature, where, as Nestor of that body, he 
is recognized as the leading spirit. He is a brother of the late 
Alex. Scott, of this city. Thomas Hodgson, grandson of the 
good old J. R. Shugart, is a talented and successful minister in 
the M. E. Church. Cyrus B. King is a physician in Allegheny, 
and at this time one of the visiting surgeons of the West Penn 
Hospital. Geo. P. Fulton, at the age of seventeen, devoted 
himself to teaching, and has pursued it ever since, except 
whilst in the army during the war. He has just been elected for 
the eleventh time Principal of the Hiland public schools. East 
End, in city of Pittsburgh. Thomas P. Gordon, son of the 
late Judge Gordon, was the first college graduate in the town, 
having graduated at Jefi'erson College in 1833. He was a 
minister, and died at his post of duty in Terre Haute, Indiana. 
He was the only native of this city who ever received the 
honorary degree of D. D. He was a brother of Mrs. Sloan, 
who is a resident of this city. Want of physical vigor 
alone prevents her presence to-night. May her last be the 
crowning years, and may the happy thought of a well-s])ent 
life be her consolation. Thomas T. Williams, was a school 
boy at Blake & Hazzard's ; is now a successful medical prac- 



28 The Old and Xev: Monongahela. 

titioner at White College, Greene countj, Pa., where for 
twenty-three years he has physicked Democrats and Republi- 
cans to their stomach's content. Dr. J. M. H Gordon has 
long been a physician in Fayette connty. Alonzo Linn, brother 
of Dr. Linn, a worthy member of your Board, was one of 
Hazzard's scholars ; he graduated at Jefferson College ; studied 
divinity ; was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Red- 
stone ; is now Yice-President and Professor of Greek in 
Washington and Jeffers<^n College, and is looked upon as one 
of the most learned Greek scholars in the nation. M. P. 
Morrison is your oldest resident physician, and if my eyesight 
does not deceive me, the frosty tinge noticeable on his head 
should remind- him that it is not good for man to be alone. 
The mild and genial James P. Fulton is jn-eaching to the 
pioneer sinners of Har}»er, Kansas, after having served his 
Master in that capacity for over a quarter century in the old 
Keystone State. Robert Ofhcer is a successful business man 
in Baltimore, Md., and Uncle Abe Underwood is still a resi- 
dent of your city, and looks but little older than ho did when 
a student in the old carriage factory, forty-one years ago. 
There, too, is my old friend, Frank Manown ; he has seen the 
old log school house, tlie old red house, the old brick house, 
the new^ brick house over the street, and the present palace. 
He claims to be one of the oldest resident scholars. His early 
education consisted in inlying the oar at the old ferry. In his 
early days he was much engaged in mercantile and other pur- 
suits, but for a long season his occupation has been that of a 
farmer and attending to the wants of those around him — kind 
and generous to a fault. He and V. C. J(»hnson, of Pitts- 
burgh, are the only survi^'ors of those who occupied what was 
known as the bachelor's pew in the old Presbyteriian Church 
at the foot of the hill. At the close of his day's labor, he still 
can be seen in his regular walk over the bridge to spend a few 
hours with his friends in the city. 

A peculiar fondness for education has ever characterized the 
citizens of this city, and thus their early literary spirit gave 



The Old and NewMonomiahela. 29 

hem an advance hold on the dominant idea of the present day. 
Let us not, then, mourn over the departure of ancient manners 
and customs sup})Ianted by the American idea. This is the 
motive power of the present day. By it we have assumed a 
proud position as a nation among the constellation of States ; 
by it we have utilized the electric spark to annihilate time and 
space ; by it the late Col, Scott pushed the iron horse freighted, 
with human thought from the rising of the sun to the going 
down thereof in eighty hours ; by it the western wilds and 
sandy deserts have been converted into fields of ever-blooming 
flowers ; by it we can signal the coming storm, and tell what 
a day may bring forth ; by it we have solved the problem of 
self-government, which defied the genius of sixty centuries ; 
by it we are reminded that he only "shall receive the blessing 
from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salva- 
tion who hath clean hands and a pure heart ; who hath not 
lifted up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully."" 

Letter from George F. Fulton. 

HiiiAND Public School, i 

Pittsburgh, Pa., July 1st, ISSl. \ 

Directors of Monongahela City Pxhlic Schools : 

Gentlemen, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your invitation "to be present at and aid in the dedication 
of the public school building" in your city this evening. 

The many duties attending the closing of the term in our 
own schools will prevent me from gratifying a long-cherislied 
hope (»f meeting again my old friends, and partici|)ating in the 
reunion the occasion will atford to the "boys'" and "-girls" 
who answered the school-bells of more than a quarter of a 
century ago. 

In contemplating your joyous meeting, my heart truly yearns 
ioY a glimpse of the old footprints of youth and home that were 
once mine, around and within the ]»recincts of my native town. 
The fathers that in my }'outhful days were the guardians of 

4 



.30 Tlw Old and New Monongahehi. 

your municipality have all passed away from earth and its con- 
flicts, and have now no part in all the "pomp that decks the 
summer hills, save that their graves are green/' 

The generation next succeeding these are now the old men 
who go about your town with fi-osty brows, garrulous of the 
"good times'' when the raftman's horn awoke the echoes of 
the hills and the wild duck and the yellow perch held their 
favorite haunts by the "Island" audits winding creek hard by. 

The boys of that day, who then pressed up Beebe's alley 
and around past the Presbyterian Church into Captain Cooper's 
school, with the golden dust of the yellow fennel on our bare 
feet, or afterwards attended Mr. Joseph S. Morrison's acad- 
emy on the river bank, held over the room where dwelt Mrs. 
Noble and her dog, are no longer the lads who threw "fire- 
balls" through the streets every time that the Hon. George V. 
Lawrence was elected, or built bon-tires on the grave-yard hill 
when we would hear men talking of good news from the armies 
of Scott and Taylor in the war with Mexico. We were/V// of 
that war, for Sparks Cooper — the brave o/d Sparks — was he 
not in it, and had we not seen on a Fourth of July, Captain 
Washington's artillery from Carlisle Barracks go through our 
place on its journey to that distant field of strife 'I 

Not to make mention of the school girls of that day would 
be to withhold the utterance of our happiest and purest recol- 
lections. They "piped unto us when we danced" to our 
flagellations, and even shared our quarrels. Did they not, 
with their own white hands, weave the wreaths of pine and 
myrtle with which we decked our church for the yearly exhi- 
bition, and "read their essays" and adorned our ranks with 
their youthful beauty. Many of them will, doubtless, be with 
vou> this evening as the honored mothers of a duteous train of 
younglings to be reared under the fostering influences of the 
new school, while of others we must reflect in sadness, that — 

"The mossy marbles rest 

On the lips that we have press'd 
In their bloom. 
And the names we loved to liear, 
Have been carved for many a year 
On the tomb." 



The Old and New Monongaliela. 31 

I have to regret that I am not fully informed as to the names 
of all who comprise your present School Board. I can see in 
fancy the honored President, in inextinguishable youth, grac- 
ing the night's array, the friend of the boys of '81 as he was 
the mentor and model of spotless manhood to the boys of 1842. 

Of my former schoohnates on your Board, Secretary Williams 
is scanning the spacious building that his energy and tireless 
spirit aided so much to project and build, atoning in part for 
unpunished acts of demolition, chronicled against him in the 
school-house by the river, where he strung bells and rung 
them during the meditations of our study hours, put the then 
"smallest boy," Chill now Major, Hazzard, out of the house, 
through the window, and terrified his mates from their beds at 
night by alarms of ghosts and spirits evolved from his 
rollicking brain. 

There, too, is Captain Wilson (Clark), who once on a time 
could boast of, swimming, with three other Leanders, from 
Baird's to Eccles' wharf, without a rest, and who was with me 
"up the creek" when Michael Dooley was drowned, and Doc- 
tor George Lynn, the faithful student, who came from over 
the bridge, with Will. Pierce, John Wilson, Curry and William 
Ketcham. How I recall him invoking on "speech days," 
"(Trlenara, " from the "Highland Glen," or imploring 
"Pizarro" for a hearing car. 

Last but not least in my affections, I can see my old friend 
and army comrade. Doctor William King, towering manly and 
strong as when in youth he trod the hills of the "Jersey settle- 
ment," or in later years followed the flag of his country in 
our strife for the Union, and won rank and honor in the 155th 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

I trust that the new edifice may be dedicated to the fostering 
of a sturdy brood of townsmen, who will be equally well 
taught in the uses of the body, the mind and the heart ; that 
it may be consecrated as the ])eo])le's school, the ])oor num's 
college, the rich man's safeguard and the great ho])e of all 
classes of society. 



32 The Old and Nev Monoiiriahela . 

From its r(jOiiis may there ever go forth legions of stalwarts 
who will be strong enough to earn their bread, wise enough to 
know their duty, and brave enough to do it. 

May the generation to be trained in the new house be better 
taught than the ancients of the town, as they will have better 
opportunities, and be equal to them in honesty, purity, social 
and public virtue, and are the elements of exalted character. 

I close with a sentiment uttered by the late Col. Sam. Black 
in an address once delivered in your own county : "Let us all, 
with one accord, say, 'God bless the common school system. 
For it is to the wintry condition of the world what the sun- 
shine of spring, the rain of heaven and the distilled dews of 
the night are to the earth in her struggles to bring forth 
through ribs of frost the bud, the leaf and the flower. 
I remain, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

Geo. p. Fulton. 



The Old and New* Monongahela. 33 



The Dedication. , 

The school building was dedicated July 1st, 1881, by Rev. 
Dr. Higbee, State Superintendent. 

REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE. 
WHAT IT COST. 

Captain T. H. Williams, Chairman of the Building Committee, made the 
following report : 

Paid John Kennedy for 100 f eet ^n^J^rTboSl^^^^^^ $ 3,213 67 

Damage to tenants on same ./y!'..\.-f. *rA../^^^^N^ 250 00 

Wallace estate for one lot f/vv- >-v->.----^^^---^^^^^^ V^.^L 65 97 

VV^^ . -^ 'oyO -^1 $3,529 64 

Contract with Neel, Blythe & Co , W/tot city, foFTlie enfi^e^om- 

pietion of the building .^^^^d^^^fQUC^^^ 17,750 00 

Contract with Kelly & Jones, of Pittsbuifeli, fUi' jU.aui"1ieating ap- 
paratus 2,536 27 

Contract with Keystone School-Church Furniture Co., for the entire 

seating of building. 2,700 00 

Contract with Mitchell, Vance & Co., New York, for chandeliers 220 00 

(loHtract with Solomon Meredith for one 75-barrel cistern to supply 

water for boilers 75 00 

Wm. Nelson & Sons, stone buttresses for front steps 125 00 

Drum&Steen, architects. 230 00 

$27,165 91 

We issued on June 30, 1880, .1?17,300 bonds at 16 years, bearing 6 per cent, 
interest, which we sold at a premium of 3 per cent. We issued on April 1, 
1881, $(3,000 6 per cent, bonds, running 20 years, which we sold at a premium 
of 7 per cent., making a total bonded indebtedness of $23,000 — bonds pur- 
chased by our own citizens. 

T. H. Williams, Wm. J. Alexandfk, 

Sect^etary. President. 



34 The Old and New Moiumgahela. 

Quite a large number of prominent educators were in attend- 
ance during the dedication, among whom were Rev. Dr. Hig- 
bee, State Superintendent, Prof. George J. Lucky, City Su- 
perintendent of Pittsburgh, Rev. George P. Beard, President 
of the State Normal School at California, Prof. J. H. Darling, 
Superintendent of Allegheny Schools, Prof. G. E. Hemphill, 
Superintendent of Allegheny ward schools. Prof. Teal, County 
Superintendent of Greene County, Prof. E. W. Mouck, Super- 
intendent of Washington County. 

The New School House Destroyed by Fire. 

This beautiful school building was of short life. On Friday 
morning, March 2, 1883, the whole building was destroyed 
by fire. We extract from the Daily Repuhlican the particulars 
of the fire. The RepyMican of the 3d says: 

••'We have to record the most disastrous fire that ever oc- 
curred in this city About 4 o'clock Mr. Simmons in com- 
pany with some fellow miners going to work discovered the 
block, corner Main and Fourth streets, on fire. It seemed 
to them to be just under or just back of the stairway leading 
to the Record printing office and R. F. Cooper's photograph 
rooms. The building in which the fire originated was built last 
spring, and was a wooden tinder box, made of pine lumber and 
filled with paint ; a mere shell, which was soon in so hot a 
blaze that it was impossible to pass up Main street between it 
and the Central Block. The flames soon spread to the wagon 
shops adjacent, and that too blazed like a straw pile. It was 
soon evident that unless something was speedily done the new 
school house must fall a prey to the flames. A feeble eft'ort 
was made to tear the shops down, but the utter lack of appli- 
ances and the fast encroaching heat soon rendered all attempt 
in this direction futile. Then the cry went up ' The school 
house is afire,' and soon the tongue of flame licking the cor- 
nice and eating its way into the roof sent a shudder through 
the thousands of on-lookers, and for a while paralyzed all 
efforts. Could it be possible 'i Must that splendid building, 



The Old and New Monongahela. 35 

the pride of our hearts, the magnificent School Building, pro- 
nounced by the State Superintendent ' the finest in the state,' 
must it be given a prey to the relentless flames '( Alas, it is 
too true/' 

Address. 

[Address delivered at the Re-dedication of the Public School House, Mononga- 
hela City, Pa., September 27, 1883, by Prof. George P. Fulton, of the 
Hiland Public School, Pittsburgh, Pa. :] 

To ask me to speak here to-night is like calling upon a man 
to respond to a toast at the marriage feast of his step-mother. 
The bride is young and fair, as all brides are. His father's 
face beams on the throng of smiling guests. The table is 
spread and the light is gleaming on china and glassware and 
silver. The limpid golden notes of the marriage bell ringing 
over all. But can the son of the woman who is dead, of the 
wife whose place is being taken by the stranger, speak in ac- 
cord with all this ? Will there not more likely rise up in his 
memory the scenes of that other day, the outgoing of that other 
wife— his mother 'i This bride is fair, but his mother's face 
was more rarely pale that day. 

Many of these same guests were there. Their jests were 
neither so light nor so loud, but the clasp of their hands was 
closer and the bells rang then. Can he speak to the toast of 
this new bride when his heart is full of the other ? Do not ask 
him. He sees the dark pall loom across the lights of revelry 
and through all the merry jest and compliment of the banquet 
rings a sound as of the far-olf tolling of a bell. His face is set 
toward the feast but his heart turns backward to the funeral. 
So mine to-night. I turn my face to this fine, large building, 
with its wide halls and spacious rooms and artistic furnishings. 
This commodious structure which your intelligence and thrift 
have builded, and your affection and forethought are dedicating 
to your children, but my eyes arc full of another picture. I 
have in my mind two other school houses — nay, three — for 
some of the boys are doubtless here. The grey-bearded boys 



36 The Old cmd New MonongaJcela. 

of Carroll, who recall the old brick school house that stood 
between Baird's aud Beckett's, that we attended under the 
tutilage of Mrs. Moses Arthurs, in the days when your honored 
citizen, T. H. Baird, Esq., was the jolly skipper of the steamer 
" Harlem," and the Hon. Geo. W. Lawrence was first taking 
his seat in the legislative halls of Pennsylvania. Not so spa- 
cious nor so handsome in your eyes as this one — the old double 
house where Captain R. F. Cooper led our bare feet over the 
thorny paths of primary learning, and the academy by the river 
where the gentle Morrison and Storer ruled up stairs and Mrs. 
Noble's dog ' ' held savage sway below. ' ' ' ' We may build more 
splendid habitations but we cannot buy with gold the old as- 
sociations. ' ' 

Build your new school house of the brightest bricks, lay the 
walls true and set angles square, adorn them with mullion 
and pilaster and buttress, but they will lack the lettering of the 
dear old names which made the walls of the double house and 
the academy read like a muster roll. 

Call the rolls of the old schools over and hear how the scat- 
tered responses come from every quarter of the globe. That 
faithfvil historian, my beloved friend and brother, Dr. Van 
Yoorhis, who loves to garner precious memories and indite on 
perpetual tablets the recollections of his native valley, gave in 
the exercises of your dedication two years ago a roll of the 
school boys, a few of whose names at least some of the "old- 
sters" here to-night will be glad to hear repeated. 

"J. W. F. White," call that one softly, or peradventure a 
tipstave will take you into custody for contempt of court. 
White has gone from the wooden bench the Doctor mentions 
to the bench of the Common Pleas Court of Allegheny County. 
It is Judge White now. 

"James Scott." Hear it echo out in Ohio. They hear of 
nothing but the Scott law there. "Jim Scott was one of the 
oldsters, ' ' as Frank, and Pat, and Orr, and John, and Mose, 
and Joe, were of the youngsters of your speaker's day. He 
had his training under the vigilant eyes and the kind and 



The Old and New Mono/iguheht. 37 

generous ministrations of the lamented Hazzard. He stii(|ied 
medicine and moved to Ohio, where no outsider can succeed, 
except a few from Washington county with the pith and fibre 
of these hills in their physique. He was elected to the legisla- 
ture, represented his country at Honolulu for a term, came 
back, was again elected to the legislature, and is now famous 
as the author of the new law to tax the liquor traffic in that 
State. Coming from so healthy a community as this, it is won- 
derful how the boys who have gone out from these schools 
have ran to physic. 

"A. J. Davis," of old Carroll stock, is a practicing physi- 
cian in the community in which I teach. 

"J. C. Cooper." He has for years been toning up the 
vital organs and regulating the digestion of a large circle of 
clients in Philadelphia. 

" M. P. Morrison." The children of his schoolmates have 
been making wry faces at his rhubarb and jalap here in Monon- 
gahela for thirty years. 

" W. H. King," there is no answer from his lips. He sleeps 
in the cemetery, but his name is famous among the foremost 
surgeons of Western Pennsylvania. 

"Jas. M. H. Gordon," a physician and a soldier, has of 
late gone down to rest, and the glistening night dew now weeps 
o'er his churchyard pillow. Of our personal friends and play- 
mates of a later generation, there is Cyrus King winning a 
name and competency in Allegheny City. George Linn, pros- 
perous and domiciled under the very shadow of the hills over 
which we together loved to roam, and Thomas T. Williams, 
doctoring Democrats at White Cottage in the County of 
Greene. But I will not weary you by going over all the names 
that come thronging to my tongue. It would be but to tell you 
where your fathers and your uncles are. The boys of the past 
are the men of the present. They have rolled down their 
pantaloons and wear shoes now all the year round. We can- 
not claim them as boys now, but they have given us no reason 
to blush for them as men. They have .done honor to their 
honest breeding ; some in the physician's office, some in the 



38 The Old and New Monongahela. 

counting room, some in the courts and many in the pulpit, for the 
schools of Monongahela city have given to the ministry some 
of the grandest, the noblest men that ever went out under the 
white banner of the son of God. 

But there are those of my school fellows here to-night who 
have not preached, nor stirred the mystic potion in the J^^scu- 
lapian chaldron and who may have plead in youth at other 
"Bars" than those of justice, who have yet acted well their 
part in this town of yours, to whom I give my warmest saluta- 
tion. I may not name them, but you will recognize them as 
your foremost citizens, sitting at your Council Boards, and 
directors of your schools. They have given their best ener- 
gies to the enhancement of the wealth and resources of their 
native town, have reared churches in amends for youthful 
irreverency and built school houses in expiation of their designs 
on those they may once have wished to burn. Very many of 
the old boys of the advanced class are gone : violets blossom 
now above the graves of the old masters. The old directors 
are dust. Pardon me if I have dwelt at wearisome length on 
these men of earlier days. It seemed to me that they should 
have a share in the words spoken here to-night. 

" Not to the living only be it said, 
But to the other living called the dead. 
Whose dear paternal images appear 
Not wrapped in gloom, but robed in sunshine here ; 
Whose simple lives, complete and without flaw 
Were part and parcel of great nature's law. 
Who said not to their Lord, as if afraid, 
' Here is thy talent in a napkin laid,' 
But labored in their sphere as men who live 
On the delight that work alone can give. 
Peace be to them ; eternal peace and rest, 
And the fulfillment of the great behest : 
' Ye have been faithful over a few things, 
Over ten citiies shall ye reign as kings.' " 

It was their lot to strike the axe into the edge of the wilder- 
ness, to pass along the way of life when ignorance sat at every 
gate, a blind and helpless Bartimeus. What in their light to 



The Old ami New Monougahela. 39 

sec was given to their hands to do, they did it well. You who 
have clearer light to your eyes and more adequate machinery 
to your hands are expected to do better. They had the clay 
and the log, you have the brick and the plank. You have the 
wisdom that they taught you. 

If I may be pardoned the personal comparison, they had the 
foot- prints of Chill Hazzard's bare-feet upon the school room 
Hoor, and the marks of the chewed paper wads upon the ceiling, 
you have his head joined to your councils, and the more pow- 
erful paper weapon which he wields now to aid you. Do not 
make the mistake of supposing that there is less necessity for 
work. Machinery will not run itself. Maps and globes of 
themselves will not teach anybody anything even in this fine 
school house. Do not go home after this dedication and sit 
down content that you have contributed so much money. You 
can stint and economise and lower the tax a little. A dollar 
paid out to support a public school is a dollar put at interest 
for the benefit of your children, and you owe it to them. You 
have brought them into this struggling, fighting world and they 
have a right to demand that you furnish them weapons forth- 
with. The old flint lock will not do. They were good enough 
in our father^s day, but we require something better and our 
children will need the best. The old Concord coaches offered 
wonders in the way of speed to our ancestors, but we travel by 
steam now, and those who come after us are getting ready to 
do everything by electricity. Steam is too slow for them and 
they look to you to furnish the machinery. 

You have done well to build this beautiful school house. 
You have done bravely, in view of your misfortune, in your 
last costly structure. But do not go home and canonize your- 
selves. You have done no more than your duty to your child- 
ren, as your parents did by you. The future will belong, 
as every age has, to the educated men. By what you have 
done here as fathers and what will be done within these walls 
hereafter, you simply file your children's claim for a share in 
it. As citizens you pay your debt to the government which 



40 The Old and Weiv Monongahela. 

protects yon by doing the best and most that within yon lies to 
guarantee to your country an intelligent and patriotic citizen- 
ship in the future. The school house is the cornerstone of 
liberty and its bells chime the forward march of civilization and 
improvement. You have laid the one deep in the abiding rock 
and swung the other high to the winds of heaven. You have 
a right to be pleased with yourselves and with your work, and 
there is not one among this company who has more reason to 
be proud and gratified than I who owe so much to the early 
advantages which the liberality of your fathers gave me. 

Ke-Dedioation of the School House in Monongahela Crrv. 

The Daily Repuhlican of September 2S, 1883, gives an 
elaborate account of the dedication of this school house, re-built 
on the same site and embracing much of the brickwork of the 
one burned March 2, 1883. State Superintendent Higbee, J. 
D. Moft'at, President of Washington and Jefferson College, 
Professor Lucky, Professor Douthett and Dr. J. S Van Voor- 
his, delivered very interesting addresses, in addition to Pro- 
fessor Fulton, inserted in full above. W. J. Alexander, Presi- 
dent of the Board of Directors, bfefore closing the exercises, 
remarked "that it was half-past ten o'clock and plenty of good 
dishes on the table not served.. So in dire need he was com- 
pelled to close, having omitted several names from the pro- 
gramme, fortunatety, however, of gentlemen whose local resi- 
dence will enable us to hear them again. 

Old Time School Houses. 

On the old road in Fallowtield Township, Washington 
county. Pa., leading from Hair's old mill to the Pittsburgh 
and Brownsville State road, near where Dickey's school house 
lately stood, near the farm line of the late Moses Colvin may yet 
be seen a few relics of what was, over sixty years ago, an old 
dilapidated house, converted into a primitive school house 
It was erected of round oak logs, one story high ; about 18 by 



The 01 fJ and N'eti'' Monongahela . 41 

20 feet in size, roofed with clap-boards held in place by what 
were called ''weight poles" extending a little beyond the 
length of the roof ; these poles were kept at proper spaces 
apart by what were called ''knees;"" these were pieces of 
timber either round or split, about 3 feet in length. The clap- 
boards were about 6 feet long and 6 inches wide, split like 
unshaven shingles of now-a-days, but of uniform thickness and 
width. The ceiling was laid loose with inch boards and the 
tioor in the same manner. The space between the logs was 
filled with "puncheons" and the open space filled with clay 
mortar. The huge fire place was made of split logs, interlaid 
with flat stones laid at an angle of 45 degrees, and daubed with 
a mortar called " catan " clay. The chimney was "topped"' 
out with split sticks plastered with the same kind of mortar. 
If the chimney smoked it was attributed to the wind " beating 
down." The door was hung on wooden hinges and made 
throughout without nails. The wooden latch with its flaxen 
string were the fastenings of every day use. But, to make 
secure, was accomplished by the wooden bolt which could only 
be displaced by a practised manipulation of the wire key made 
at the nearest blacksmith shop. The windows were on the 
sides, midway between the ceiling and the floor. They were 
made by taking out on each side a log for about two-thirds the 
length, and to keep out the cold and admit light, in the absence 
of glass, greased paper was used instead of panes of glass. 
The paper being more frequently used on account of its cheap- 
ness. Along these windows, fastened to the log wall, were the 
boards on which the advanced scholars did their writing. The 
benches used for seats for the scholars were made of split logs 
with the split side up — and no backs to lean against. The fire 
was a wood fire — no coal being yet used. Such is a meagre 
description of an old time school house, where, in old Fallow- 
field township, the older Moodys, Witherows, Colvins, Hairs, 
Van Voorhis', McComas", I'owers, Evans and others were 
accustome<l to congregate to be taught their fii'st lessons of 
wisdom, 



42 Jht Old and Nev^ M<m<>n<iiiheJ(i. 

The younger generation of these fathers also ' ' w- ent to 
school ' " here, and among the least was the writer, who ' ' went ' ' 
his first day to school in this house, when Miss Crawford was 
"mistress'' of the school. The lady teacher was then called 
mistress, not schoolmarm. In due course of time, this old- 
time school house had to be abandoned, and the friends of edu- 
cation in that vicinity, in order to have the school in a more 
central location, erected a house similar to the former on a 
three-cornered piece of ground donated for the purpose by the 
late Daniel Van Yoorhis, near the residence of Van Shannon, 
near a double sugar tree, just before turning down the run, op- 
posite the entrance into Shannon's barnyard. At that time 
this sugar tree was quite small, and it acted in a clear day as 
kind of timepiece, for when the shadow of the school house 
reached this tree it was time te ' ' let out. ' ' The first teacher 
in this house was Thomas Heslep, of the wxdl known family in 
"Horse Shoe." Here in this time-honored house William 
Colhoun taught for many years the youngsters of the older 
families. He was a good master, severe in his discipline but 
successful in heatlvg what he did know into the minds of others. 
He was a great tobacco chewer and always had the floor near 
his seat well besmeared with the juice of the weed. 

Life of William Colhoun. 

William Colhoun was born in Donegal, Ireland, four miles 
from Letter- Keeney, June 10, 1796. He M^as a son of Andrew 
Colhoun, who was born, lived and died in the same lunise in 
which William was born. No one of the family except Wil- 
liam ever came to this country. He emigrated to America in 
1818. Sailed from Londonderry in May 7 of that year for 
Quebec, and was six weeks making the voyage. His destina- 
tion was Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where he had two un- 
cles. They had built and were operating a paper mill in con- 
nection with a large store, in which he expected to obtain 
employment as a clerk. There being no large vessels to sail for 
Philadelphia for two or three weeks, his company, consisting 
of three persons, concluded to take a schooner. 



lljbt Old and Nem Monongahela. 43 

The officers agreed to lash their baggage fast on deck and 
cover it with canvas. For a time all seemed well, but the 
little vessel was overtaken bj storm and capsized off the coast 
of Nantucket, where it lay for twenty-six hours, the captain 
and sailors sticking to the rigging on the outside and within 
was the little company of passengers, among whom was an old 
sailor, who ha-s'ing found a hatchet, took in the situation, sailor- 
like, and in a short time had a plank cut from the bottom of 
the vessel, and from the opening thus made he ordered the 
company to pass to the outside, after which he had the hole 
stopped with bedding. He then cut off the mast and the vessel 
righted itself. Everything on deck was washed overboard and 
lost, together with its sails and mast. The vessel with its offi- 
cers and little company of passengers floated at the will of the 
waves until the next day, when they were taken up and landed 
at Amboy, New Jersey. William Colhoun lost all he had ex- 
cept what he had on his person and a few guineas in his pocket. 
He had with him in his baggage $2,400 worth of linen. It was 
the custom for emigrants on leaving Ireland to invest their 
surplus money in flne linen and by coming through Canada 
they avoided the high duty to a good extent that would have 
l)een imposed on them in sailing directly to the United States. 
lie made his way at once to his uncles, where he expected to 
lind employment, but found most of the customers of the store 
were Dutch and required the service of a clerk to suit that 
vernacular. 

Disappointed, but not discouraged, the young Irishman made 
rapid pace to his cousin William, in Clarksville, Greene county, 
in whose store he remained two years. At the expiration of 
this time, Samuel Clark, pro])rietor of the town, and his brother, 
lfo])ert (;lark, of Brownsville, sent him to New Orleans with a 
i1at boat loaded with flour and whiskey. The late Captain 
Samuel Clark, son of the alxne Robert Clark, was one of the 
crew attached to the flat boat. They left Millsborough in 
February, 1821, and returned in due time, coming up on the 
flrst steamboat that ever run on the lower Mississi])])i; that 



-1:4 The Old and Nev Mononqohehi . 

being her second trip np. The boat could not get further than 
Louisville, at which point they embarked on a small boat for 
Cincinnati. Here they found the river too low for any boat, 
and they were compelled to buy horses on which they made the 
rest of the journey by way of Zanesville, where Colhoun had a 
cousin in the person of the wife of the Rev. Culbertson, a Pres- 
byterian minister, with whom they tarried a day. On his 
return he obtained employment in the then small town of 
Washington as a clerk in the store of the late Alexander Reed, 
father of C. M. Reed, esq. , who kept store on the same corner 
which his son now occupies. Colhoun now had his residence 
for the first time in Washington county. He was married in 
1823 to Ruth Clark, daughter of John and Hannah Clark, who 
lived midway between Millsborough and Clarksville. She was 
born in the same township February 28, 1T95. After close 
confinement in Reed's store for two years, William"'s health 
began to fail. Not being able to work at manual labor, the 
physicians advised him to teach a country school where he 
would be compelled to walk daily not less than five miles. As 
near as we can find out it was about this time he got married, 
and moved to a house on the farm of Mr. Harmon, near David 
Kerr's, on Pigeon creek, in which neighborhood he taught his 
first school. He in succession lived and taught school at Ben- 
jamin Parkinson's, near Dunningsville, at William Jones's, 
near Ginger Hill, and whilst living here he taught at the Dutch 
meeting house school house. From the farm of William Jones 
he moved to John McKelvey's, on Mingo, near John Withe- 
row's, a brother of the late Samuel Witherow, who was the 
father of John Witherow, of the old blacksmith stand near 
Curtin school house. In the Spring of 1829 he moved to the 
old house that stood where the present residence of Robert 
Coulter now stands, then owned by the late Daniel Van Voor- 
his, and so long occupied by his son Abraham, now of Illinois. 
It was during this sunnner that he taught his first school in the 
famous old log school house near the present residence of Van 
Shannon, on Taylor's Run. This houso was the first building 



The Old and JVeiii Motionaahela. 45 

erected especially for school purposes in all that neighborhood, 
and perhaps in all the old township of Fallowfield. The 
school houses generally in Western Pennsylvania at that time 
were " waste houses, " unfit for any other purpose. This log 
house, was the successor of the old house that stood on the old 
road leading to Hair's mill, in which Thomas Heslep, of Horse 
Shoe, and a Miss Crawford taught. This first log school house 
was built by general consent, and subscription paid by labor in 
building it. 

While teaching his first term in this house he boarded in the 
family of the late Daniel Van Voorhis ; was one of the guests at the 
wedding of Newton Van Voorhis and Nancy Cooper, which took 
place May 28th, 1829. About this time Bowman Shepler was a 
terror in the neighborhood, in the way of mischief and tricks, 
especially on wedding occasions. He was invited to this wedd- 
ing ostensibly as a relative, but really for the purpose of ap- 
peasing his mischief working propensities. Bowman was not 
slow to take in the situation, and the result was the taking off 
the cartwheels and concealing them, with the crowbar, which 
were not found until the mowdng of the meadow in hay har- 
vest. Colhoun's health began to decline while teaching in the 
old log house. The physicians advised him to seek some out- 
door em])loyment in the summer. Uncle Danny Van Voorhis, 
true to his inborn philanthrophy, came to his rescue, and 
oft'ered him ground to farm. But he was no farmer. Uncle 
Danny says, ' ' I will let you have horses to work with and you 
can get persons who owe you for schooling to" plough for you 
until you learn how yourself." 

The advice and aid were accepted and for years thereafter 
he did some farming in the sunnner and taught six months in 
the winter. His teaching was very well received, and espe- 
cially in the old log house. His integrity and perfect honesty 
won for him the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. 
His deportment and influence as a teacher wielded no little 
power in moulding an educational spirit which in after years 
aided so much in the adoption of tlie public school system. 
5 



4:6 The Old and ^Tr?/' Manongohela. 

During his first teaching in the old log house, among the sub- 
scribers to the school none are now living. 

Moses Colvin lived in the old house that stood near the late 
residence of his grandson, Jaj Colvin. Stephen Colvin resided 
in the old stone house near Hair's old mill, owned by his son, 
Lewis Colvin, at his death. Alexander McAllister, father of 
William McAllister, lived on the farm now owned by Enoch 
Colvin. Simon Wilson resided in the old house which has 
given way to the beautiful mansion of John Wilson near the 
Horse-shoe Church. Philomen Boyle, the older, lived and 
died in the house recently occupied by his son Felix. Henry 
Spharr made his home on the farm now owned by our genial 
friend David L. Fournier. Robert Moody was a scholar — his 
father lived in the old house that stood near where Newton 
Van Yoorhis now resides. Samuel Withrow carried on the 
blacksmithing at the stand where his son John now pursues 
the same business. Leech Loyd, Charles Behanna, and Ed- 
ward Sprouls, the shoemaker, lived successively in the old log 
house that stood near the present residence of Yan. Shannon, 
recently owned by Abe. Hull. Alex. Frazier, now deceased, of 
Rostravor township, Westmoreland county, had a blacksmith 
shop near Shannon's site, whilst Behanna lived in the old house. 
David Behanna, now of Catsburg, and Nelson Evans had the 
only fist fight that ever occurred in this school. It happened 
in some way during a game of town ball. During one winter 
Isaiah, son of Elwood Sprouls, had his leg broken whilst riding 
down the hill in a big sled. He was nicknamed Zedick, and 
was, and is no doubt to-day, if living, a queer fellow. 

Zedick in some kind of a scuffie having bitten severely one of 
the scholars on the arm, concluded that it would be the better 
part of valor to escape the coming wrath of the master by ab- 
senting himself. For davs he concealed himself in the old 
cabin just above the school house, neither going homo nor to 
school. The boys at noon would start him up from his lair, 
and then chase him fox-like to the woods. He finally fianked 
his pursuers by returning and submitting to a severe whi])])ing 
as a penalty f(^r the wrong connnitted. 



Tlit Old and New Monoiigahela. 47 

James Dickey sent his daughter Elizabeth to the Colhoun 
school, both ill the old log and the Dickey house. His wife 
was a daughter of the late Daniel McComas, whose father, 
William McComas, came to this country from Maryland at a 
very early day. Dickey's wife had a brother who moved to 
Ohio many years ago. His wife is still living near Rex Mills, 
Muskingum county, Ohio, and though nearly one hundred years 
old, she has very distinct recollection of spinning flax in the 
family of Captain Daniel Van Yoorhis ; of being present at 
the wedding of the older Colvins and Fryes, and more recently 
at the marriage of Newton Van Voorhis. 

Among the patrons of the Colhoun school was Daniel Evans, 
the wagon maker, who lived on the old road that once led from 
Van Shannon's to John Wilson's. He was poor, but his son 
Dan and daughter Sarah were the most apt scholars in the 
school. The Crossans were scholars ; they lived in the old 
house that stood on the run not far below John Wilson. 

Philip Crabb sent his sons Philip and Henry. Philip died 
many years ago. Henry married a Miss Mitchell and lives at 
Lock No. 4, surrounded by all the comforts of life, bearing 
the name of being one of the most skillful steamboat engineers 
on the western rivers. Abram Frye, better known as West's 
Abe Frye, was among the most liberal supporters. He lived, 
owned and kept tavern at the house now occupied by the heirs 
of the late Washington Cooper. His wife was Elizabeth, 
daughter of Samuel West, who lived near where Wm. Beazel 
now resides. They had nine children ; the three oldest were 
scholars, viz : Samuel, Orilla, and Mary Anna. Samuel mar- 
ried Nancy, daughter of the late ApoUos Speers ; their daugh- 
ter, Mary E., is the wife of Wm. H. Jackman, of Wayne Co., 
Ohio. Orilla married J. Brintoii Nixon ; moved to Mount 
Union, Ohio, where she died in 1875, and he died in 1877. 
Mary Ann married Thos. Neblack in 1842. He died many 
years ago and his wife January 16, 1883. W. H. H. Degarmo 
seemed to be the orphan scholar and butt of the school. His 
marriage was a good one. His eldest son is a prominent min- 



Jrb The Old and New Monoiuialida. 

ister in the Presbyterian church ; the okl gentleman is still 
living, and has been for many years a resident of the vicinity 
of Hex Mills, in Muskingum county, Ohio. William Colhoun 
having resided in the Horse Shoe neighborhood for over live 
years, most of which time he taught in the famous old log 
house, concluded to change his residence to the old house so 
long occupied by Isaac Frye before he emigrated to the west. 
This house stood near the present residence of Mrs. Tuman, in 
Fallowfield township. Whilst living here he taught in an old 
log house just below his residence, thus foregoing for one time 
his habit of walking a distance to school. This improvised 
school house was said to have been the primitive residence of 
the older Abraham Frye, who came to that vicinity in 1771 or 
thereabouts. Among his scholars here were such well known 
persons as Elder Samuel Frye, John Frye, Solomon Frye, the 
poet, Lucy Scott, now the wife of John Spahr, and after whom 
was named the beautiful village of Lucyville, on the Monon- 
gahela. The Cooper boys were also scholars, whose father, 
Valentine Cooper, resided on the farm where the late Thomas 
Redd lived, at the mouth of Maple Creek. Here Rezin Frye, 
now of Bellewood, received many a lesson that added much to 
his success in life. The next year William Colhoun moved 
to the Ringland farm, near Jonestown. Whilst living here he 
taught most of the time during the winter in an old log house 
that stood on the farm of the late Simeon Jackman, in Allen 
township. This house was of more modern style, being built 
of hewed logs. It was the same house in which Robert Gaily, 
the blacksmith, subsequently lived. It was situated very near 
the present residence of Addison Cummings. Robert Gaily 
married Rachel Spahr, sister g of John Spahr. Having carried 
on the blacksmithing for some time at this stand, he concluded 
to move to Pittsburgh, where he met with more than ordinary 
success in his business. He subsequently moved to Clarion 
county, where in the oil business he accumulated a fortune. 
A few months ago he returned to the vicinity of his early life 
and is now in West Bellevernon. 



The Old and New Mottonijahda. 49 

C(»llioiiii's next move was to the Peter Sheplar farm, on 
Maple creek, now owned by heirs of Esq. Swabe. The common 
scliool system was now in full operation, brick and stone houses 
taking the place of old waste houses for school purposes. The 
famous old house on the run had to give way to the Dickey 
house, on the Brownsville road. Colhoun taught more or 
less during thi-ee years in this house. He moved next in 
order to the farm of Jerome Grable, on Pigeon creek ; taught 
two terms in the Greer Mcllvain district; two terms in the 
Benjamin Dickey school house, near Ginger Hill, and the bal- 
ance of the time, whilst living here, he taught at the Dickey 
house near Colvin's, referred to above, which was the out- 
growth of the school he taught in the old log house, and around 
which cluster so many reniiniscenses of the past. In 1844 he 
determined to leave the vicinity of his lirst love and those with 
whom he had so long associated as patrons and scholars. In 
the Spring of this year he moved to the Cook farm, near the 
old Brown Ferry, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county. 
It is said that former tenants had so run down this farm that 
nothing but briars and other rubbish would grow on the soil. 
The people pitied Colhoun and said, "Why he will never pay 
his rent. " Not long after his coming into their midst, some 
of the neighbors noticed day after day, the old gentleman and 
his boys tinkering, as they called it, for days in a field that 
former tenants had considered not worth ploughing. One day, 
a certain one now living, concluded to go over and see wdiat all 
that kind of work meant. On coming to the field an unusual 
sight met his eyes. Briars, thorns, stumps, fence corners 
were torn in tatters and ready to be burned — the oldest boy 
was ploughing a furrow about six inches wide and ten inches 
deep, turning up a rich soil that had not been dreamed of in 
the philosophy of the former tenants. The neighborhood was 
astonished in the Fall at the wonderful crop; after that year he 
was regarded not only as the best school master, but that he 
could teach any man how to farm. Whilst living on this farm 
he taught more or less in the new school house over the Monon- 



50 The Old and NeiD Monongahela. 

galiela river, very near the old house in which he had taught 
when living in the house on Jackson Frye's farm. Ho walked, 
as usual, and crossed the river in his own skitt', which he kept 
locked not far above the present Rostraver coal works. He 
was quite a gunner, and very generally carried his foM-ling 
piece as he walked to school. One morning, as he drew near 
the river, he espied a flock of ducks. He tired into them, and 
was no little astonished to find that he had killed 10 at one 
shot. Henceforth he was reckoned a crack sportsman, as well 
as teacher and farmer. 

Having by farming and teaching realized some means; his 
family also arriving at mature age, Colhoun became somewhat 
restless and determined to seek a new home in what was called 
at that time the West. In the Fall of 1849, he sought out and 
purchased from John Bigham 120 acres of land in Adams town- 
ship, Geurnsey county, Ohio, to which he moved his family in 
the Spring of 1850. On this farm he lived until he died June 
24, 1871. He died of cancer in the face. He never taught 
school in Ohio. 

In early life he was rather erect in his stature, measuring in 
height perhaps five feet ten inches. He alway wore a swallow- 
tail coat, blue in color, and trimmed with brass buttons. His 
hair was dark and bushy, with toilet not always up to fashion. 
He was strikingly temperate as to ardent spirits, but an inveterate 
tobacco chewer. He had by constant habit worn out the Irish 
brogue, and pronounced the English emphatically correct. He 
was a fine penman, speller, and in arithmetic had no superior in 
his day. He was always a Democrat; never held any office; he 
refused all offices "both small or great;-' he claimed that the 
general result of office was to give trouble and make enemies. 
His v/ife died April 30, 1881, on the old homestead in Adams 
township, Geurnsey county, Ohio, of tdd age. 

They had eight children, viz: John, Maria, Jane, Rebecca, 
Ruth, Andrew, William and Elizabeth. Andrew married Jane 
Carr, of Ostrander, Delaware county, Ohio. He died February 
1, 1865, in the same county, leaving two children. John mar- 



Tlw Old and Neni Moiiongahela. 51 

ried Tillie L. Monroe, and have no children. Jane married 
John Hutchinson and have had six chikh-en, of whom Ann died 
in 1879. Elizabeth married Geo. G. Duff; have no children. 
William married Jane Bean, of Ostrander, and have five child- 
ren. In the spring of 1860 father Colhoun had purchased 227 
acres of land near the village of Ostrander, in Sciota township, 
Delaware county, to which William and Andrew moved in 
I860, and on which William and his unmarried sisters, Maria, 
Rebecca and Ruth, now live. 

Old Time Schools. 

Personally we were well acquainted with Golhoun, having 
been one of his scholars for several years. He taught in the 
school house above described for many terms, which extended 
from three to nine months. The terms were from one dollar 
and a half to two dollars for three months. The teacher board- 
ing generally around among the patrons. For those who were 
unable to pay provision was made in the way of a poor fund 
assessed by law on the rich class. Taking up school at the ap- 
pointed time was announced by calling out on the part of the 
teacher, "Books," in a loud tone, which was responded to 
promptly, and a tardiness to be in' place was severely punished. 

The books used in those days were the United States Spell- 
ing Book, the English Reader, the Introduction and Western 
Calculator. The scholars were well drilled in spelling, and 
the result was seen in the good spellers, that would cast into 
the shade the "new fangled " notions of teaching orthography 
now-a-days. The goose quill furnished the material from 
which the master made the pens for the scholars. The ink 
was home made from maple bark, sumac, white oak, tfec, and 
occasionally a])peared an ink made from what was called " ink 
])owder, "but it was regarded as an outside "material," not 
lo be trusted, as it would /«^t;. The home-made ink was supposed 
to be unfading, and it really seems so, as the writer has in his 
])Ossession manuscripts thus written over one hundred years old 
and not any signs of fade. The pa])er used in olden times was 



52 The Old and New Monongahela. 

unruled. It was ruled by a home-made ruler, so called, and a 
pencil manufactured impromptu from a bar of lead. Cyphering 
on the slate was done with a pencil obtained from the nearest 
soapstone. The rocks from which this material was taken was 
named the slates. The soapstone was chiseled into pencils with 
the famous "Barlow knife," or the " Elevy " knife, 
with a red bone handle, containing two blades. The latter 
was the rich man's son's knife. The copy was set by the 
master, whose competency was measured much according to 
his proficiency in making good pens and setting copies. The 
house was heated by a huge wood fire within the fireplace, the 
back wall and jams of which were well lined with stone and 
mortar so as to be secure from fire. This fireplace was about 
seven feet wide, so that quite large sticks of wood could be 
used as fuel. 

Notwithstanding the open condition of the house, this fire- 
place aftorded all the heat required to make the scholars com- 
fortable. The female scholars were dressed in woolen frocks, 
long sleeved and close necked, with home-made stockings and 
upper leather shoes, whilst the boys were clothed in home-spun 
cloth and the comfortable flannel warmus, corresponding to the 
blouse of the present day. There was no recess in Colhoun's 
school but the usual hour at noon for amusements, which con- 
sisted in town's ball, corner ball, paddle ball and three-cornered 
cat. Black man's base, "pussy wants a corner" and such 
like were indulged in by both boys and girls. The playground, 
called the " camp," was the grove of sugar trees across the run 
from the school house, where can be seen stumps that mark the 
old bases of ball playing long ago. At the door, inside, was a 
paddle hung on a tow string, on the one side was pasted the 
word " in " and on the other the word ' ' out, ' ' when, by per- 
mission, a scholar retired during school hours, the paddle was 
turned so as to show "out," and when the scholar returned, it 
was so changed as to show "in." The school was governed 
altogether by the physical force of the ferule and rod. Kind 
words were few and terror and fear reigned within every 



The Old and ^\Vv/,' Jftnur/u/a/ir/ti. 58 

scholar, both great and small. It was within the code of honor 
that the teacher should, during C'hristmas and New Years' holi- 
days, be "barred out,"' and allowed to regain his place in the 
school house on agreeing to treat to apples and gingerbread. 
The treat generally was only apples and they were distributed 
by throwing them helter-skelter over the floor. And such 
gingerbread, when it was given, the like of which can no more 
be produced, since old (4rand-I)addy Rose and Mother Hutte- 
nour have gone. Master Colhoon <me morning, just before 
Christmas, arrived at the door and found the latch-string pulled 
in and silence reigning within. He at once took in the situa- 
tion; he was barred out. After rubbing his hands a moment, 
he at once resolved on harring the scholars in. Going to a 
near wood pile, he carried from thence huge logs, placed them 
against the door on the outside, which soon created no little 
commotion within, and in a short time the door was flung open 
— the scholars dispersed. The latch-string was again hung out 
and "Books'' called, to which all responded, and thus ended 
the last barring out of Master Colhoon in the old school house. 
The patrons of Colhoon 's school were scattered over quite a 
large district, embracing many of the older families. Among 
these was Daniel Evans, the wagon and w^ieel barrow maker; 
he lived on the old road leading from the late residence of 
Abe Hull to the old Horse Shoe Meeting House — a road long 
since abandoned. His sons Nelson, Daniel, Oliver and Simon, 
with the daughter, Sarah, were scholars. Nelson is still living 
as far as we know; the others left this country some fifty years 
ago. Daniel was very expert in figures, and was regarded by 
the school as well as by the neighborhood as a young man of 
extra talent, but as far as we can learn his after life did not 
crop out as was anticipated. Robert Moody, son of Samuel 
Moody, was a scholar. His father lived in the old house where 
now stands the residence of the late Newton Van Voorhis. 
Robert's father was a member of the old Horse Shoe Meeting 
House congregation, his name appearing on the subscription 
paper for the support of Dr. Ralston early as November 
28, ISOO. 6 



54 The Old and New Monongahela. 

Samuel Witherow was the blacksmith for more than half a 
century in that neighborhood, and was a son of William 
Witherow, of still earlier days. Samuel sent to this school his 
sons Noah, Alexander, John and Samuel Finley, besides two 
or three daughters. Alexander and Noah died many years 
ago. Finley, as he was called at school, is a shoemaker, 
residing on the Brownsville road near the paternal blacksmith- 
shop. John, after going through a long batchelorhood, 
married, and remains to-day a fixture at the old shop where 
successfully he still carries on the business after the manner 
of his father. This blacksmith shop has a widespread reputa- 
tion, being one of the oldest in the neighborhood. It was a 
shop when iron and salt was transported from east of the moun- 
tains on horseback. Whenever iron and salt became scarce 
families associated in sending in turn a train of horses equipped 
with packsaddles, and thus the supply was kept up. With 
these exceptions all other things were raised or made at home. 
The use of iron was pretty much limited to horse shoeing and 
the making of what few nails the richer people might really 
need. Cast iron was used in the form of kettles required so 
much in the making of maple sugar — the only sugar then 
known to the inhabitants. 

One of the Withdrow girls married John Boyd and died 
years ago in Carroll township. Of the others we have no infor- 
mation. Philip Crabb sent his sons Henry and Philip. He 
lived in the old house above the residence of the late Esq. 
Swabb. The old gentleman was among the primitive market 
men to Williamsport. He did not often fail to go with his 
marketing on Saturday. He always wore a round-crowned, 
white wool hat, and carried his marketing in a round -])Ottom 
basket, on a horse wliich traveled in a half-trot pace. He 
owned for a long time the farm on which the late Isaac Teeple 
died — in Carroll townshi}). (-rabbdied many years ago on the 
homestead in Fallowfield, leaving a widow who married Peter 
W. Shepler. His son Philip died not long after Colhoon quit 
teaching in that neighborhood. Henry became a steamboat 



The Old and New Mononrjahela. 55 

engineer and has followed his trade on the Monongahela most 
of his life. He has earned the reputation of not only being an 
honest and upright man, but of being one of the most trust- 
worthy engineers on the Monongahela or Ohio rivers. He 
married a Miss Mitchell and now resides at his own home, near 
Lock No. 4, in comfort and in the enjoyment of the good 
will of all those around him. His head is fast showing the 
effects of time and the exposure incident to his steamboat life. 

Abraham Frye, generally known as "West's Abe. Frye,"' 
was another patron. He lived on the farm now owned by the 
heirs of Washington Cooper. He for many years kept a 
tavern which was known as the Fallowfield house, where the 
elections were held from time immemorial to us later day 
people. The private muster, too, was held here on the first 
Monday of May in each year. He Jiad several sons and daugh- 
ters who were scholars of the old school. Samuel, Abraham, 
Florilla and one other daughter, whose name the writer cannot 
recall. Florilla married J. Benton Nixon, and lived in Mount 
Union, Ohio, but whether living now we cannot say. Abe. 
Frye, the father, having moved to a house above Speers' ferry, 
his son Samuel courted and married Nancy Speers, daughter of 
the late Apollas Speers, granddaughter of Rev. Henry Speers 
and great-granddaughter of the older Henry Speers, who died 
near the present site of Belle vernon in 1773. Shortly after 
the marriage of Samuel the whole family removed to Sandusky, 
Ohio. The family seemed to have gone from memory in this 
country until a few years ago William Jackman returned to his 
father's homestead in Allen township, bringing with him his 
wife in the person of Mary daughter of Samuel Frye. 

As Daniel Evans was the pride of the school, so was Harri- 
son DeGarmo, its butt. Not as smart, perhaps, as some other 
scholars, he was the target for the rude in manner. He was 
]Mcked at, teased and plagued without stint. He was always 
getting into trouble, was constantly under the eye of the teacher 
and often, no doubt, ])unislied without deserving, yet the 
scholars were his friends. He carried his dinner in a reticule , 



56 Th<' Old and JVeii'' Monoiujiilx'Jd. 

wliicli was ample cause for trouble. This article of use con- 
formed to the modern satchel. He was an orphan boy raised 
bv one Jimmy Thompson, who lived in the house still standing 
below the residence of David \a. Furnier. Harrison's after life 
cropped out far better than many who at school caused his 
young- soul so much vexation. He nuirried a lady named 
Dunlevy in the '^ Forks of Yough/' passed through the late 
war as a soldier with honor and now lives wdth his son, H. C 
Dedarmo, near Freeland, Muskingum county, Ohio. His wife 
died in 1887, and one of his sons was killed on the B. & O. 
Railroad not long after his mother's death. Salathiel, the 
oldest son, is a Presbyterian minister located sbmewhere in the 
West. He is poor but in respectable pircumstances and await- 
ing patiently the gratitude of the government which, in due 
time, will grant him a justly merited annuity for his patriotic 
services. 

The Crossan family lived in the old cabin which stood near 
the entrance to the residence of Wash. Shannon on Taylor's 
run, below the brick house of John Wilson. Robert and 
Thomas were scholars. The only peculiarity of the family con- 
sisted in having a drunkard's reputation and the story was com- 
mon in school that the Crossans were raised on ' ' mush and 
whisky. " 

The playground of this school was on the land of Moses Colvin, 
who sent his son Vincent and Jonathan Grant of his household 
to this school. Stephen Colvin lived in the stone house near 
Hare's old mill. His sons, Abraham and Stephen, with Sarah, 
Mary and Betsy, were among the scholars of Colhoon. David 
L. Furnier and sister Susan of the household of Henry Spharr 
were in this school. Henry Spharr lived on the farm on which 
David L. Furnier recently died. P^n-nier's wife was Betsy 
Colvin. John and Isabel Wilson were children of Simon Wilson 
who resided a long lifetime on the farm on which John lived and 
died, situated near the old Horseshoe meeting house. James and 
Elizabeth Dicky belonged to the school. Their father, James 
Dickv, resided most of his life on what was known in early 



The Old and Netv MonoiH/ahcla. 57 

days as the McComas farm near Witlierow's slio]). Edward 
Spronls for a while lived in the old house where now stands the 
residence of one of the sons of the late Dutton Shannon. He 
was a shoemaker by trade and did the cobbling for most of his 
neighbors. His sons and daughters were scholars in the school. 
He finally settled near Bentleysville, where he died many 
years ago. Some of his family still are in the vicinity of that 
town. The Hairs, Van Yoorhis and a host of others were 
patrons and scholars at this school, some of whom we will 
trace in a future part of this work. William Colhoon's suc- 
cessor in this school was a gentleman from the east, kind of 
semi-blooded Yankee named Joseph Styles, Mister not Master 
Styles. He wore a tall, white fur hat, a white starched dickey 
with high collar, kept in place about his neck with a stock 
made of satin and bristles buckled at the nape of the neck, a 
line blue broad-cloth dress coat with brass buttons, and boots 
of calf-skin, made to shine with lampblack and white of an egg. 
In all that region he was the first to introduce the study of 
grammar and geography. His scholars in these branches were 
Daniel and Sarah Evans. 

Schools in Later Days. 

In the winter of 1834 the Legislature passed the act estab- 
lishing our present system of public schools. Previous to that 
time the territory now embracing Monongahela City and Car- 
roll township was included in Fallowfield, one of the original 
townships into which Washington county was divided at its 
formation, March 28, 1781. Carroll was formed September 
30, 1834, from parts of Fallowfield and Nottingham townships; 
was originally called Knox, but the Court, Judge Thomas H. 
Baird, presiding, for some reason changed it to Carroll. This 
township embraced Williamsport, now Monongahela City, 
within its limits, as a school district. It remained thus a part 
of the township until the name of Williamsport was changed to 
that of Monongahela City, April 1, 1837. 

Prior to the formation of Carroll tlie citizens of Williamsport, 



58 The Old and New Man any ah el a. 

and the territory taken from Fallowfield, voted at the tavern of 
Abraham Frye, on tlie Brownsville road, beyond the Witherow 
blacksmith shop; but in the act creating Carroll, the elections 
were ordered to be held at the hotel then owned and kept by 
the late Joseph Hamilton, grandfather of the present editor of 
the liejjnblican. At the first township election a board of 
school directors was elected, on whom devolved the altogether 
new duty of starting this system of schools, based on an equit- 
able assessment of tax, out of which the cost of the schools 
were to be paid. We can only recall the names of David Wil- 
liams and Isaac Van Voorhis as original members of that 
board. The directors for the time being divided the new town- 
ship into convenient districts, as required by the law, using 
whatever buildings could be obtained for schoolhouses. An old 
log house which stood in a field to the left of the road leading 
from Taylor's run to Wm. Galbraith's, furnished one, where a 
one-armed man was teacher for the first term; being barred 
out, as was the custom, he forced an entrance through the clap- 
board roof and settled the boys with a severe "overgoing."' It 
was a rule that if a master once gained admission he could not 
again be barred out during the term. 

This master was a severe but successful teacher, introducing 
some new practical ideas that were not dreamed of in old time 
philosophy. On the hill, above the late Wm. Blythe's resi- 
dence, may yet be seen traces of an old log cabin, which being 
condemned by common consent as unfit for any other use, was 
secured for a school house. It was then owned by James K. 
Marshall. It was a retired spot, not even a road, much less 
a house within sight; no wonder the proprietor was constantly 
complaining of the depredations of the boys. In this waste 
cabin an Irishman named Lewis and another man of the name 
of Sampson were teachers for a time, Lewis was Irish indeed, 
and his scholars were prone to follow his tvanei and call have 
hftve, sounding the a long instead a short. His great failing, 
however, was his inclination to drink too much strong drink. 
Sam son was a strong, sober man overrunning with conceit, 



The Old and JYew Monongahela. 59 

wherewithal not a bad teacher. Among the scholars at this 
school were James Marshall, now dead, long a resident of 
Beaver county in after years; his brother, John, now living in 
the same vicinity where he was born; Capt. Robert Philips, a 
well known steamboat man and long a citizen of Monongahela 
city; McCarty and Thomas Williams, W. J. Markell, the 
Stockdale boys and girls, the families of Abram and Isaac Van 
Voorhis. The town of Williamsport was divided into two dis- 
tricts. The upper end attended school in a frame house still 
standing near where Keller's foundry stood in after years. For 
one term at least Thos. Collins, Esq., was the teacher. The 
scholars from the lower end of the town attended school in the 
old Methodist Church near the present wharf; the building since 
converted into a dwelling and finally demolished. At that time 
only a few persons were on what has always been known as the 
Island, besides those connected with the glass works on the 
point, traces of which still remain. 

The brick row now owned by Wm. Coulter was not yet built. 
The old frame building opposite this row was the brewery of 
Samuel Devore. The old frame house near the school house 
referred to was the residence of the widow of the late Elias 
Watkins, who was a brother of the first wife of Abraham Yan 
Voorhis. The old frame house, burned years ago, above the 
brick, known in early days as the Swartz house, was the resi- 
dence of Asher Van Kirk, who carried on the chairmaking 
business. The old tavern house near||the mouth of the 
creek was among the first buildings on the island after its sale 
to James Manown. By this sale the ferry went into the hands 
of James Manown and was no longer the Parkison Ferry. 
After grave consideration the Carroll board of directors de- 
termined to erect in each sub-district a stone or brick school 
house. The Harlem house on the Judge Baird farm, the 
Columbia, the Horse Shoe, on the road from the Baptist church 
to Columbia, the stone house at the forks of the road above 
MarkelFs distillery, one near Ginger Hill, one on the farm of 
Samuel Keenan, one on the farm of Isaac Van Voorhis, the 



OU The Old and Xeio MonongaJiela. 

double house adjoining the okl Presbyterian church in Wil- 
liamsport and the one on the island, long since passed into the 
river, were the houses erected under the resolution. The one 
in Catzburg was afterwards determined upon, as the population 
increased. It may be that a house was built near the Dutch 
meeting house under the first resolution. The stone school 
house, now converted into a two-storied dwelling, was built 
by Elgy Van Voorhis, now an extensive farmer and cattle 
dealer in Greene county. The plastering^ was done by Col. A. 
T. Gregg, who taught tlie first school in the house. The one 
on the farm of Van Voorhis was built by the late David Fhillips, 
brother of Capt. Kobert Phillips ; the price was 1200.00. 
Cheapness was the great desideratum in building, and the 
history of these houses attested the impolicy of such an idea. 
These houses as to comfort were in advance of their prede- 
cessors, having board seats and glass in the windows, with 
shutters, also a chimney for a stove, an innovation on the time- 
honored fireplace. The people as well as directors began to 
select teachers in some measure on account of their qualifica- 
tions, although no formal examination was required. The next 
series of school houses in this township was frame, excepting 
the stone one on the Brownsville road near the residence of the 
late Francis Nelson. 

Horse Shoe Bottom Church, Williamsport (Monongahela 

i ^"^^-^ 

From the Centennial sermon preached by the Rev. W. O. 
Campbell, July 2, 1876, we make tlie following extracts as 
published in the V((Iley R(Cord of July. 15, 1876 : 

We are informed that one of the peculiarities of Presbyte- 
rianism in Western Pennsylvania, about the time when this gov- 
ernment was inaugurated, was its rural character. The people 
were an agricultural people. They cleared out the wilderness, 
they tilled the soil, they pursued the srme avocation here that 
they had followed at home. The first Presbyterian churches 
were not established in the nucleus of the towns and cities, but 



TJic Old and New MonongaJiehi. 61 

ill the country places. The Horseshoe Bottom Church, of 
which this is regarded as the true linial descendant, was built 
in 1785, three and a half miles from this place, on the ridge 
road leading to Brownsville, on a farm owned by Simon 
Wilson. It was a log church and additions were made to it until 
it had sixteen corners; part of its foundation is still visible. 
When that church was built ''there was not a church or chapel, 
preacher or priest of any kind in the City of Pittsburgh," 
although the city had been partially laid out since 17()5. The 
Church of Horseshoe Bottom preceded the First Church of 
Pittsburgh by one year. But the country churches of Montour's 
Raccoon, Cross Creek Buffalo, Chartiers and Pigeon Creek were 
then large and flourishing. The ministers residing in the country 
occasionally supplied the villages and hamlets with preaching. 
The only Presbytery in this part of the county was the 
Presbytery of Kedstone. There was no village from Pitts- 
burgh to Brownsville, and none from Pittsburgh to Wheeling, 
except a small hamlet at Beaver. The first record history gives 
us of this church is found in the minutes of the meeting of the 
Presbytery of Redstone, held at Pigeon Creek in 1786, one 
year after the Horseshoe Bottom Church was built, and is as 
follows: ''The Presbytery conceive that the supplication of 
Mingo Creek, Horseshoe Bottom and Pike Run congregations for 
a man to preside in drawing up a call for Mr. H. Morrison, Jr., 
cannot be granted for the reason that they are entire strangers 
to Mr. Morrison, and kiiow not whether ever he was regularly 
licensed to preach the gospel, nor has he shown his credentials 
to any member of the Presbytery." In 1789 the first General 
Assembly held its meeting, composed of twenty-three ministers 
and elders, and had for its moderator. Dr. John Witherspoon. 
Again. October 16th, 1792, this church, in conjunction with 
Mingo Creek, presented a call to the Rev. William Swan, 
which was declined. Another call was made out for Rev. 
Mr. Mercer in 1793, which appears to have been as unsuc- 
cessful as the others. In that year the Presbytery of Ohio 
was formed out of portion of the Presbytery of Redstone, 



C2 The Old and New Mooiongahela. 

and tins church was transferred to it. While it was without 
a })ast()r it was supplied occasionally by members of the 
Presbytery. The Rev. Samuel Ralston, D. D., received a 
call from this and the Mingo Creek congregation in November, 
1796, which he accepted. In 1807 the organization was 
transferred to Williamsport, as this place was then called. 
About this time Mr. James Hair was chosen the first elder of 
the church. Dr. Ralston preached his first sermon in a small 
school house which stood in the rear of the church building that 
was occupied before we came to this one. He preached two 
years in that house in the winter season; in summer he preached 
in a tent in what was known as Bentley's sugar grove. In 1815 
it was resolved to build a small brick church 31x35 feet, on 
the hill just above the church building lately occupied. In 1816, 
April 20th, the services of Dr. Ralston were secured for one- 
third of his time. In August, 1816, the first communion was 
held in the new church, the pastor being assisted by Rev. Mat- 
thew Brown, D. D., and the elder by Mr. Benjamin Williams, 
of Mingo; forty-five members sat down at the table of the 
Lord. In the same month Messrs. James McGrew, Jesse 
Martin and Robert McFarland were elected and ordained 
elders. James McGrew died in 1855, September 26th, aged 
80, having served thirty-nine years. Jesse Martin died May 
27th, 181:8, having served thirty-two years. Robert McFar- 
land died in 1835, having served nineteen years. James Hair 
died in 1826, having served about t^ji^enty years. The first 
Sabbath-school held in this town was organized by Jesse Mar- 
tin and James Gordan, who reported July 25th, 1823, about 
100 scholars. In 1831 Dr. Ralston resigned his charge here 
and gave all his time to Mingo. He preached here and at 
Horseshoe thirty-eight years. At a meeting of the Fresbytery 
of Ohio, at Mingo Church, April 20th, 1837, the name of this 
church was changed to that of the First Presbyterian Church of 
Monongahela City. 

Dr. Ralston died Sept. 25th, 1851, being 94 years old, a 



The Old and NewMonongaliela. 63 

mail of logical mind and good classical and scholarly attain- 
ments, of great faith and power. This clmrch owes much 
gratitude, praise and love to the memory of this good man, and 
to the memory of those good elders who have long since gone 
to their reward for the labors and sacrifices in its behalf. Dr. 
Ralston was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Moore, a stated supply, 
who labored here about six months. On July 30th, 1835, at a 
congregational meeting, of which Aaron Kerr was chairman 
and Joseph Wilson secretary, it was unanimously resolved that 
a new church building should be erected, and a committee 
composed of James Gordan, Esq., James Manown, Esq., and 
Jesse Martin was appointed to procure a lot for the purpose. 
The committee appointed to take subscriptions for the new 
church was composed of Samuel Hill, Esq. , Isaac Yan Voorhis, 
James Mercer, Dr. Biddle and Jesse Applegate. The build- 
ing committee was James Gordan, Esq., James McGrew, Esq., 
and Samuel Hill, Esq. Mr. Hill becoming the contractor for 
the building was, at his own request, removed and James 
Manown, Esq., substituted in his place. The cost of the build- 
ing was $2,100. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. 
Dr. Elliott, of the Western Theological Seminary. Rev. Geo. 
D. Porter began preaching to the congregation two-thirds of 
his time Oct. 15th, 1835. Feb. 12th, 1836, Mr. Aaron Kerr 
was installed, and Messrs. Isaac Van Voorhis and James Gor- 
dan were ordained and installed elders. Mr. Kerr afterwards 
removed to Cross Creek, and died June Ist, 1866, being 86 
years old. Mr. Van Voorhis died June 4th, 1875, in the 82nd 
year of his age, known to us as a good man full of faith and 
the Holy Ghost. Mr. Porter ceased preaching here in Febru- 
ary, 1838. The Rev. Mr. Chambers succeeded him as stated 
supply, remaining about six months. Oct. 28th, 1839, Rev. 
Jno. Kerr was invited to take the pastoral charge of the con- 
gregation two-thirds of his time. He was ordained and in- 
stalled April 22nd, 1840, and remained until April, 1862, a 
period of 22 years. During this time the church grew from 
a membership of 90 to 205, the years of greatest increase being 



0-i Tht Old and yeic MoiKmijalnhi. 

ill 1812 thirty-six members, in 1848 forty, in 1857 twenty- 
seven. In 1843 Mr. Henry Fulton was elected and installed 
elder. He afterwards removed to Wasliiiig'ton, and died April 
13tli, 1869, aged 85 years. June 29th, 1857, the following 
persons were installed elders : Messrs. Jos. Kiddoo, John 
Power and James Dickey. Mr. James Curry was ordained 
elder at the same time. Mr. Dickey died Sept. 9th, 1864, and 
Mr. Kiddoo Aug. 11th, 1870. April 7th, 1862, a call was 
made out for the services of Kev. S. G. Dunlap. He was in- 
stalled Dec. 6th, 1862, and remained pastor until Sept. 29tli, 
1866, about four years. Liiider his ministrations fifty-live were 
added on examination in 1863 and twenty-eight in 1864. Mr. 
Dunlap died in 1871 at Orrville, Ohio. Dec. 6th, 1862, Mr. 
E. W. Tower was installed, and Messrs. John Wright, Fran- 
cis I. Gardner and David Moore were ordained elders of the 
church. Mr. Tower was drowned in the Monongahela River 
Feb. 19tli, 1869, and Mr. Moore died May 11th, 1867. Dec. 
oOth. 1866, the congregation voted a call to Rev. J. S. 
Stuchell, vv'ho was installed May 10th, 1867, and continued 
pastor until April 1st, 1870, a period of three years. Mr. 
Stuchell died Oct. 1875. Oct. 26th, 1867, Messrs. Wm. C. 
Shaw, D. D. Yohe and Samuel Hindman were ordained elders. 
Mr. Yohe died Aug. 7th, 1868. Oct. 1st, 1871, a call was 
made out for the present pastor. He began his labors as pas- 
tor elect Oct. 16th, was installed Nov. 6th, 1871. At a con- 
gregational meeting held January 20th, 1868, it was resolved 
to build a new house of worship, and committees were ap- 
pointed to procure a site and solicit subscriptions. The build- 
ing committee were Messrs. Aaron Brawdy, H. H. Finley, T. 
R. Hazzard, Esq., John Patterson, James Stockdale, Wm. J. 
Alexander, Jas. H. VanVoorhis and Francis I. Gardner. The 
present house of worship was built at a total cost of about 
!S^32,000.00. The lecture room was dedicated by divine ser- 
vice March 17th, 1872, the first sermon being in the text John 
2, 19. The house was brought to its present state of comple- 
tion tlie next year, and dedicated June 8th, 1873, the pastor 



Thi 01(1 <nui 2ieiii MoiKwriiihcla . 65 

preaching the vsermoii from Is. 56, 7, and Mark 11, 17. He 
was assisted in the service by the other pastors of the town, 
also by his predecessor. Rev. J. S. Stiichell, wlio preached in 
the evening. Messrs. Jas. Yan Yoorhis and Jolm Patterson 
were elected and ordained, and Mr. Hindman was installed 
elder January 21st, 1872. During the present pastorate the 
new church building has been built and dedicated to God, 50 
members have been received on profession of faith and 83 on 
certificate, making a total of 133, an average of 22 each year; 
a Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society has been organized and 
nuiintained with a good degree of success; the contributions to 
the Boards of the church have been increasing, the greatest 
amount ever given by this church being that given last year, 
-1755. The years which came nearest to that were 1853-'5-l 
and "55. The contribution of 1853 was $680, that of \54 
$535, that of "55 $736. The growth of the church in spiritu- 
ality, in the knowledge of the truth, and in grace, in harmony 
and peace, in stability aiul strength, has, I think, been mani- 
fest; the attendance upon the Sabbath day is increased in num- 
bers and regularity. While the prayer meeting is not at all 
what it should be, we have both reason to regret the poor pro- 
gress we have made and we have reason to rejoice at the good 
progress made. We may bless God and go forward. When 
we thiid-c of the condition of the church as it was six years ago, 
its divisions, its despondency, its depression, the poverty of its 
sanctuary, and look upon this church and congregation, its 
unity, its united strength, its increased powers of endurance, 
the every way improved aspect of its life, its increased interest 
in and attention to the word, its beautiful house of worship, 
why we can scarcely recognize our old selves. Yet our pro- 
gress is nc^t such as we should have made, and our ongoings 
are not so great as our short comings. But notwithstanding 
we have great reason for gratitude to God, and for encourage- 
ment for the future. 

In two days more forty millions of people will rejoice over 
the one hundredth amiiversarv of this Natiorrs birth. Before 



06 The Old and Hew Monongalida . 

another Sabbath the Nation will have entered on the second 
century of its career. The State and Ghnrch, entirely separate 
in their organization, happily they are not separate in their 
sympathy, they are not here as elsewhere antagonistic. Sun- 
dered in organization each has to acknowledge that it has re- 
ceived many blessings from the other. Happy the church 
which is so entirely left to the enjoyment of its liberties and 
the free exercise of its consecrated powers; happy the state 
that has received so many benign influences from the religion 
of the church; happy the people that are so untrammeled as we 
in the enjoyment of our liberties and the exercise of all lawful 
powers! We will search the pages of history in vain to find a 
Nation that has entered upon its second century with so fair a 
prospect, with so rich an inheritance. When we remember 
our forefathers who wrought so wisely, who fought so manfully, 
devout be our gratitude to God who inspired them with wisdom 
and courage. Let us be consecrated anew to the cause of that 
religion which gave us, and which alone can perpetuate so 
great liberties. 

Note. — Alexander Wilson was installed an elder in 1840. He came from 
the First Chnrch ot Minersvilie, Alleglieny county, over which Kev. S. M. 
Sparks presided. He was for many years the Superintendent of tlie Sabbath 
School and was mainly instrumental in building it up. 

Rev. W. F. Hamilton, nephew of Samuel Ralston, I). 1) , and now Professor 
in Washington and Jefferson College, was here as a supply during Kev. John 
Kerr's absence in the south, about the year 1851. 

Rev. James P. Fulton, son of elder Henry Fulton, was also in charge of the 
church as supply in 1850. 

Rev. W. (). Campbell, who was installed pastor of this church 
November 16, 1871. resigned his pastorate, and, on the 2d day 
of February, 1886, Kev. Jas. M. Maxwell was called, and on 
June 6, 1886, was duly installed. 

E,Ev. John Kekk. 

I Written for the Rkpublican by request. | 

Although not unexpected, our citizens were startled at the 
announcement on Monday of the death on Sabbath morijiug, I 



TJid Old (1)1(1 N'eir Monorujahela . 67 

March 20, 1892, of Rev. John Kerr, which occurred at his 
home in Parnassus, Westmoreland county. Pa. He was the 
oldest minister, as to ordination, in the Allegheny Presbytery. 

Rev. John Kerr was the son of James Kerr, who came from 
Northampton county to Washington county in 1800. He was 
married to Hannah Mason in 1S03. The deceased was their fifth 
child, and was born in Florence, Washington county. Pa., De- 
cember 25, 1813. He commenced his classical studies in the 
fall of 1828, in the private school of Thomas Levingston, near 
Florenc^, Pa. He was a student in the Cross Creek Academy 
for three sessions; he entered Washington College in the 
autumn of 1830, in the Freshman Class; graduated in 1834, 
and immediately entered the Western Theological Seminary. 
During the next winter he took charge of the New London 
Academy in Chester county. Pa. Mr. Kerr also assisted dur- 
ing the winter of 1837-8 in the Florence Academy. In Octo- 
ber, 1838, he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of 
Washington at its meeting in Cross Creek. During the winter 
after he was licensed he supplied various vacant churches, es- 
pecially the Mill Creek Church, where he was urged to accept 
a call which he declined, preferring to take charge of the Kit- 
tanning Academy, preaching in the meantime at Manor, Crooked 
Creek and Apollo. Calls was presented at the fall meeting of 
Presbytery from that field and Monongahela City. The latter 
call he accepted, and was ordained and installed pastor of this 
church by the Presbytery of Ohio, April 22, 1840. He la- 
bored in the Monongahela City church for twenty-two years, 
declining in the meantime a call from the Fourth Church of 
Pittsburgh, He. declined especially on account of the stnmg 
and united remonstrance against his removal to any other field 
of labor. In 1862 he resigned his pastorate. During his 
lalxjrs in this church the membership increased from DO to 205. 

His next field was as stated supply, and pastor-elect for tlu*ee 
years, of the cliurch of Raccoon. He declined this call in 
r)rder to engage in city mission work under the care of 
the Pittsburgh Presbytery, in which he continued until 



B8 The Old rnui ytnn yf<ino)u/(ih('hi . 

December 14, 18H9. January 17, 1872, he was installed pas- 
tor of the Valley C-hureh, Allegheny, from which charge he 
was released in July, 1874, and removed to his late residence. 

In later years he supplied different churches up the Alle- 
gheny, and by his personal efforts several new church build- 
ings were erected, the last one being at Natrona, where, said 
he, "I expect to finish my mission and ministerial work on 
earth." He was married in April, 1840, to Miss AnneB. Camp- 
bell, daughter of the Rev. Allen J). Campbell. The deceased was 
the father of six children: B. B. Kerr, Allen C. Kerr and J. M. 
Kerr, all in business in Pittsburgh. Thomas Kerr is an attor- 
ney in New York; John Kerr is a minister in Joliet, 111.; his 
daughter Ella married Rev. J. E. Wright, of Germantown, Pa., 
and his daughter EujJiemia is deceased. She was the va'iie of 
Dr. C. B. King, a native of this city. 

We can hardly realize that the friend and })reacher of our 
youth has passed away — he whom everybody loved. During 
his pastorate in this city, he was held in high esteem by old 
and young. He was not only valued as a minister but equally 
so as a citizen and Christian gentleman. His heart and feelings 
were warm, and his disposition so mild and ]tliable that none 
feared to approach him. Settling in this city amidst the ex- 
citing times of 1840, he never failed to do well his work as a 
minister of the gospel, so as to hold together in unity his co- 
workers and church membership. He had around him as ad- 
visers such men as elders Gordon, McGrew, Martin, Van Voor- 
his, Fulton, Wilson, Kiddoo and Power. They, too, have all 
passed away excepting Power, and are to-day enjoying to- 
gether the glories of the immortal state. He not only identi- 
fied himself with the interests of the church, l)ut incorporated 
himself and his interests into everything that tended to advance 
the good of his adopted city and neighborhood. The twelve 
members of his gradvuiting class are deceased, we think, ex- 
cepting Rev. Hamilton, the Indian missionary. Among the 
class was such names as Prof. Murry, Dr. W. L. Laff'erty, E. 
S. Graham and Robert Woods. 



The Old and New Mtnxmgahela. 69 

The wife of the deceased survives him. The remains were 
interred in the Allegheny cemetery. Blessed be the memory 
of such a man. For much of this sketch we are indebted to 
the College Annual and to a personal interview with the de- 
ceased not many years ago. V. 

The Church on the Hill. 

At 11 o'clock A. M., Sabbath day, over sixty years ago, let 
us enter the old brick Presbyterian Church on the hill, stand- 
ing in about the centre of the graveyard lot, and take in the 
surroundings. The edifice was nearly square ; the carpenter 
work was done by Benjamin Ferguson, and the interior was 
finished with pine, unpainted; the inside was divided by aisles, 
one running up and down the river from door to door and one 
leading from the door, fronting the river, back to the pulpit; 
on the right and left in going in from the inner door the seats 
were at right angles until reaching the main aisle running from 
the doors, where the seats were at angles to this aisle. The 
pews, as they are now called, had doors on the end next the 
aisle; the owner of, at least one, kept his pew locked, and on one 
occasion, having forgotten his key, had, to his own discomfiture, 
jump into his seat. The pulpit was high toward the ceiling, 
and a stairway on each side leading to the interior, where a 
smoothly planed pine boat-seat furnished accommodations 
to the })reacher or preachers ; cushioned chairs and sofas were 
unknown (puintities. The acoustic facilities of an audience 
I'ooni were then believed to be in the height of the pulpit or 
jdatform, having no ideas of the angles of incidence and reflec- 
tion. In front of the pulpit was located the d/a-k'j^ desk. 
Benjamin P'urguson was ''dark'' for a long time. At tlie 
jtroper time he would rise u]), place his elbow on the front of 
the desk, holding in his hand Watt's hymn-book, line out the 
hymn and start the singiiig iu which all joined in s])irit if not 
with understanding, believing singing to be an essential part of 
worship. Mr. Ferguson removed west before the old church 
disa])pearcd, leaving behind a name cherished by all who knew 
him. 7 



7() Tht Old and New MonongaheJa. 

In a seat on the right and in front of the pulpit was Aaron 
Kerr and his family. The old gentleman, leaning on his ivory- 
headed cane, occupied the outer end of the pew, so as to 
give his stiff limb more comfort by extending it into the aisle. 
His family consisted of his wife and several sons and daughters. 
He was for years a member of the legislature from Washington 
county. During his legislative career he acquired something 
of a reputation in a little speech in which he declared boldly 
that "a man should not be disfranchised because he had 
a black streak down his back. ' ^ This expression at that time 
was condemned, but its outcropping has been the adoption of 
universal sufl'rage, without respect to race or color. He was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1838, and was 
highly esteemed. He was installed as an elder in this church 
February 12, 1836, when James Gordon and Isaac Van Voor- 
his were ordained and installed. 

Many years ago he removed to Cross Creek, where he died 
June 1, 1866. His oldest daughter, Susan, was first married to 
a Dr. Todd, of West Newton, Penn'a., and her last, husband 
was Jesse Applegate, of Allegheny county. She died in 
Claysville, Fa., February 23, 1884. His daughter Phoebe 
married James G. Hair, who died at Claysville, Pa., August 
10,1885. She still lives. Amanda married a Rev. Reed, who 
died many years ago, leaving a daughter Lizzie, who married 
John McCuUough, who was a son of Hon. James McCullough, 
of Canonsburg, Pa. Amanda was married to a Mr. Hanna as 
her second husband. They are both dead. 

Aaron H. Kerr, son of A. Kerr, studied Latin and Greek 
with Prof. J. D. Mason in this old church, and subsequently 
with Prof. J. P. Thompson, in the old carriage factory, in an 
upstairs room. Among the students in this academy were Rev. 
John McFarland, who died years ago in Greenfield, Dade 
county, Mo.; Abram Underwood, lately deceased; Dr. A. J. 
Davis, of East End, Pittsburgh; Francis Gardner, of Forward 
township, Allegheny county; Dr. J. H. Storer, of Treadelphia, 
West Ya. ; Dr. J. H. Manown, of Kingwood, West Va. ; Dr. 



Jh(- 01(1 Olid New MonoDgahchi. 71 

J. S. Van Voorhis, of Bellevernoii, Fayette county ; J. S. Mor- 
rison, now deceased, a distinguished member of the Pittsburgh 
bar; Dr. James C. Fleming, of Franklin, Ohio; Kobert Officer, 
of Baltimore, and S. B. Bently, of Monongahela City. A. 
H. Kerr graduated iti old Jefferson College, in the class of 
1843, and also was a graduate of the Western Theological 
Seminary, died February 27, 1890, in Minnesota. He was a 
distinguished educator, and minister of St. Peter's, Minnesota. 
Hampton was another son of Aaron Kerr. He was long a 
successful merchant of Cross Creek, Washington county, and 
died a few years since in that place. Joseph was another son 
of Aaron Kerr. He died April 11, 1891, at Chicago, Illinois. 

Isaac Van Voorhis and John Hair, with their families, occu- 
pied the back seat to the left of the pulpit. Of these w^e will 
have more to say in another part of this work. Just in front of 
their seat the venerable form of Grand-daddy McCain, with his 
family, could be seen. The family have all passed to the bet- 
ter land. Margaret married James Hull, who lived for many 
years in the old log house which stood near the present dwell- 
ing of Wm. Booth, on Taylor's Run, in Carroll. For a few 
years. prior to his death, which took place in 1848, he livcul on 
the farm recently owned by his son Abram in Fallowfield, now 
in possession of one of the Shannon boys. Hugh McCain was 
a ])lacksmith, had liis shop, in 1834, on Second street, above 
the People's bank ; but, in after years, had it in Catzburg, 
where he died many years since. Henry McCain was a stilkn- 
by trade, and as such worked many winter seasons for the late 
Isaac Van Voorhis in the old log still-house tluit stood on 
the present farm of John Van Voorhis, in Carroll. 

The later history of the old Horseshoe Bottom Congre- 
gation aiul the early history of the Williamsport Meeting 
House congregation, were so intimately interwoven that their 
interests were for a time identical. This was especially true in 
a iinancial way. William Irwin, of Parkison's Ferry, took an 
important ]>art, with Michael Power and Samuel Moody, in 
nKUiai»;ing tlie money mntters. Among tlie archives of that 



72 The Old and New Moncmgahela. 

old church is the following subscription paper. Some of the 

names are written in the subscriber's own writing and others 

not : 

November the 28, 1805. 

James Prine $3 50 

Robert Williams 2 50 

Daniel Vorehas 3 00 

Heury Blythe 1 50 

Afoses Carr 3 00 

William Witherow • 2 00 

William Fenton 2 17 

Jacob Crabs 3 00 

Subscribed December 19, 1S06. 

James Hair $3 00 

William Priau 1 00 

John Foraker 1 00 

Then is added below a subscription in pounds, shillings and 
pence : 

Henry Siiepler 17s. 6d. 

James McKnight 7s. 6d. 

Hannah Power 18s. 9(1. 

John Power 18s. 9d. 

Jen McCutcheon 7s. 6d. 

On the back of this paper is written, in Dr. Ralston' s own 
writing, the following : "April 5th, 1806. Received from 
Samuel Moody seven pound, one shilling and ten pence one 
half penny in stipends for the year 1805." Elder James Hair 
had, during the summer of 1806, removed from Berkeley 
county, Va. , and among his first duties was to subscribe to the 
support of the gospel and deposit the certificate of himself and 
wife from the church of Middletown, under the signature 
of Father Joseph Glass, pastor. From this period to 1811, we 
have no record of either, the spiritual or financial condition of the 
congregation, only that in some way, or by some means, the 
place of preaching was changed to Farkison's Ferry. 

In the old Horse Shoe Church there was no pew rent, but 
the subscriptions were called stipends and pronounced ^'- stee- 
piiis.'^ Scats were free to all, but each family was naturally 
inclined to occupy the same seat, and hence gradually was j 



The Old and New Monongahda . 73 

originated the idea of families each renting by the year a seat 
called "pews" first in the old church on the hill, where tlie 
pew-rent system was adopted. As Esq. Hair was one of the 
giants in the Williamsport congregation, so Michael Power was 
the ghmt in the old Horse Shoe Church, where, during liis 
life, he delighted to worship. He lived on the high hill above 
the residence of one of the Shannons, on a part of the farm now 
owned by the heirs of Moses Colvin, deceased. His barn 
standing on the highest part of the hill, shortly before his death, 
was burned with all its contents. On hearing of the fire, Dr. 
lialston remarked to a friend that "the individual who fired 
that sainted man's barn would die on the gallows." Subse- 
quent events in the eyes of the neighborhood verified the pre- 
diction. His remains, together with a countless host of other 
earlier settlers, lie in the graveyard adjoining the old church. 
Wm. Irwin, although living in Parkison's Ferry, took an active 
part in the old Horse Shoe congregation, and was permitted to 
see the church on the hill grow in number and spiritual strength, 
and for years in it he occupied a pew. He built and resided 
for some years in the brick house now occupied as a boarding- 
house by Mrs. Kerr on Main street in Monongahela City. 
This house was built on Lot No. 1 in the original plan of the 
town, and it was the first brick house in the town. In what 
year it was built we cannot say, but we think in 1802. Will- 
iam Witherow was a cooper by trade and follow^ed his occupa- 
tion in a shop not far from the present residence of his grand- 
son, John Witherow, in Fallowfield. Whiskey barrels, churns, 
buckets, tubs, wash tubs and pld,akestaiids for still-houses were 
the kind of vessels generally made. Flour and apple barrels 
were in little demand. 

We have as early as September 17, 1814, a record that 
shows he was a cooper, in our possession, being an old account 
book. He was the father of Samuel, David, Benjamin and 
James. Samuel was the father of John Witherow, the well- 
known blacksmith on the Brownsville road. He was a black- 
smith, as well as his son John, who still holds the old shop and 
is one of the substantial fixtures in Fallowfield. 



74 The Old and New MonongaJtela. 

Henry Shepler was another old Horseshoe subscriber. He 
lived and died on the farm now owned by Wm. Rogers on 
Maple creek. His wife was the daughter of the older k^arnuel 
Frye. Shepler, with his brother-in-law. Samuel Frye, owned 
the old mill on Maple creek, where now stands the mill of 
Henry Cooper. Shepler had two sons. Bowman, celebrated 
for his love of mischief, moved west long ago, where he died. 
Feter lived on the farm now owned by the heirs of Wm. Swab, 
on Maple creek. He removed west about 1860, and has been 
dead many years. 

Rev. Aakon Hakvey Kerr 

Died at Rochester, Minnesota, February 27th, 1890. He was 
born in Washington county. Pa., January 1st, 1819. His 
father was the late Aaron Kerr, Esq., who for so many years 
represented Washington county in the Legislature, and who 
for years kept store and lived in the brick house on Main street 
in Monongahela City, now owned by Mrs. Stuart, nearly op- 
posite the Episcopal church. The deceased was familiarly 
known as Harvey. Fie was a brother of Rev. Joseph Kerr, 
of Fairfield, Iowa, of Hampton Kerr, of Cross Creek, Washing- 
ton county, Pa. He was also a brother of Mrs. Susan Apple- 
gate, Mrs. Phcebe Hair and Mrs. Amanda Hanna, all well 
known in this community. 

Harvey was a student of the academy taught by Rev. J. D. 
Mason, in the old churcli on the hill, and of the academy, of J. 
P. Thomson, in the old carriage factory. He graduated from 
Jefferson College in the Class of 1843, studied theology in the 
Western Theological Seminary, was licensed by the Presbytery 
of Ohio, April, 1846, He preached as a pioneer in many of 
the early churches of the west, and was for a time connected 
with the educational interests of St. Peter's, Minnesota. He 
was married October 13, 1817, to Elizabeth, daughter of the 
late Hon. Walter Craig, of Cross Creek, Washington county. 
Pa, The writer of this article was a schoolmate at the Old 
Factory school, and knew him well. In youth he was a man, 



The Old and Ne^c Monongahcla. 75 

of iine physical appearance, tall, erect, and full of vigorous 
nerve, fond of a joke, but always carried his religion with him. 
He was one of the good of his day, and his many friends of 
fifty years ago, will learn of his death with regret. He. was 
not only a soldier of the late war,, but a soldier nearly all his 
life in the army of the Lord. Blessed be his memory. 

[From the Daily Republican, July 3, 1888.] 

Reminiscences of 1840. 

Last Sunday's Leader is quite off on its guess work history 
of the Harrisons, as it relates to Western Pennsylvania, in the 
campaign of 1840. It speaks of Andrew Jackson Ogle as 
" Spooney Ogle," who earned a national reputation by expos- 
ing the extravagance of the White House in Van Buren's day. 
It was Charles Ogle, an uncle of Jack Ogle. IiT 1840 Jack 
Ogle was not a full grown man. He made his first speech 
from the balcony of the Monongahela House, in Pittsburgh, in 
1844, in favor of Henry Clay. He was elected to Congress 
from the Somerset, Fayette and Greene district in 1848, de- 
feating John L. Dawson. In 1850 he in turn was defeated by 
Dawson. He was appointed by Fillmore Charge de Affairs to 
Denmark, but died before he arrived in that country. Charles 
Ogle served in the 25th and 26th Congress. His celebrated 
spoon speech gave him a high rank in the campaign. The 
Leader names as speakers in that campaign, among others, S. 
T. Hurd, editor of the Washington Eeporter^ J. W. F. White, 
J. M. Kirkpatrick. In 1840 Hurd was not a resident of Wash- 
ington, and never was editor of the Reporter. John Bausman 
was its editor at that time, and with it printed the "Rolling 
Ball," as a campaign paper. John M. Kirkpatrick did not 
graduate at Jefferson College until 1846. J. W^ F. White was 
a student in Allegheny College in that campaign and Rippey, 
D. N. White and Collier were not active politicians in that day. 
Rippey was too young and of the age of the other two I cannot 
say. Andrew Stewart was then in the prime of his life. The 



76 The Old and New Monongahela. 

more prominent whig speakers of the 1840 campaign in this 
county were the Hon. T. M. T. McKennan, Hon. Joseph Law- 
rence, William McDaniel, and the local lights in this vicinity 
were Dr. K. F. Bicldle, Wm. Mills and K. F. Cooper, Esq., at 
that time acting editor of the Carroll Gazette^ which had de- 
sorted its neutral ground and came out boldly for Tippecanoe 
and Tyler too. In Allegheny county Hons. Walter Forward, 
A. W. Loomis, W. W. Irwin, F. C. Flannigan, W. B. McClnre 
and Cornelius Daragh were very active in the cause. In 
Westmoreland, Edgar Cowan, then a resident of West Newton, 
was the rising speaker in the Whig cause. He made his first 
speech in the streets of West Newton from a canoe, on a 
wagon. That speech gave, him the start as a stump-speaker. 
The campaign was opened in Monongahela City by the great 
mass-meeting at 'Squire Wall's in Elizabeth township, near 
Wm. Perm school house. The procession left Hamilton's 
hotel, preceded by eight men carrying a bark canoe made by 
the Indians, and the property of Jack McFarland, who had 
long been a trader among the Indian tribes, in what was then 
called the far west. It was very light for its size, and about 
thirty feet long, and of a tan color, neatly made. Dr. Biddle 
carried a miniature log cabin and some one, whose name we 
cannot recall, carried on a pole a live coon. The meeting was 
immense and the ])ies and cakes were without measure. Cider 
for the multitude was furnished free by old A])e Applegate. 
The speakers were F. C. Flannigan and W. W. Irwin — well 
known as "Pony " Irwin — a member of Congress and Minister 
to Denmark. A full description of this meeting was written 
by R. F. Cooper of the Carroll Gazette with special references 
to the "old dame with her ])rood '" on Main street, who were 
so conspicuous in their criticism of the procession as it passed 
up the street. The Washington Kmminet\ edited by Grayson 
and Kaine, also had a Loco Foco view of the whole affair. It 
was after this great meeting that T. R. Hazzard became a 
" Straightout" from the Loco Foco Democratic party and re- 
mained in opposition to that party to the day of his death. 



The Old and Neiv Mimongahda. 77 

The great debate of the local campaign was hold in the old 
chnreh on the hill. The participants were Dr. John Wishart 
and Wni. Montgomery, Democrats, against Edgar Cowan and 
Joseph Lawrence, Whigs. There was a daylight and night 
session of the debate. The discussion was a very able one, 
but it was conceded that the Whigs had the better of the fight. 
The writer has a few manuscript copies of some of the more 
popular songs of that campaign. 

Mrs. Jane Fulton Power. 

Died at her late residence in Monongahela City, Pa., March 
23, 1891. 

She was born in West Newton, Pa., November 15, 1814. 
She was the daughter of the late Henry Fulton, who was a 
ruling elder for many years in the Presbyterian church of this 
city. She united with the Presbyterian church of Sewickley 
at the age of thirteen years, under the ministrations of Rev. 
A. O. Patterson. She was married to John Power, September 
13, 1836, by the Rev. Wm. Annan. Her husband survives in 
his 80th year. The family of Henry Fulton has been signally 
and peculiarly connected with the Presbyterian church. His 
oldest son, Abram, was an elder, and his daughter Jane, the 
deceased, married an elder, and his granddaughter, Rebecca — 
daughter of Abram — married. Rev. Alonzo Linn, L. L. D., 
Professor in Washington and Jefferson College. Another 
granddaughter is the wife of Rev. J. H. Sherrard, of Ohio, 
whose daughter Jennie is the wife of Rev. Ewing, a foreign 
missionary. Henry Fulton's daughter Rebecca was the wife 
of Wm. J. Power who for many years was a ruling elder in the 
Pigeon Creek congregation, where at this date two of his sons 
are serving that church in the same office. 

Henry Fulton's son, James P., is a Presbyterian minister in 
Kansas, Harper county, and his grandson, Wm. S., son of 
James P., is the pastor of one of the churches in Lexington, Ky, 
Rev. Robert H. Fulton, D. D., the youngest son of Henry 
Fulton, is pastor of Northminster church, Philadelphia. 



78 Tlie Old and New Monongahela. 

Henry Fulton had thi'ce daughters married to ministers. 
Sarah, now deceased, was the wife of Rev. J. H. Stevenson, 
D. D., of Mount Carmel, Illinois, Nancy married Rev. R. T. 
Price, of Scio, Ohio, and Almira is the wife of Rev. E. P. Lewis, 
of St. Paul, Minnesota. Margaret is the wife of James Means, 
for many years a ruling elder in Lebanon Church, Allegheny 
county, and-his sou, Henry F., is a minister lately in charge of 
the churches of Fairfield and Union, in the Presbytery of Blairs- 
ville. Henry Fulton's son, George P., deceased, was one of 
the most successful educators in Western Pennsylvania. 

Mrs. Power, wherever she abode in life, was looked upon as 
one of God's own children. Her faith never wavered. It was 
an anchor to her soul, sure and steadfast. 

Dk. George E. Lytle. 

This estimable young man and physician died at Gallatin, 
Tenn., March 6, 1891, at the home of his sister, Mrs. Frank 
Pierce. He was 35 years of age, the son of Perry A. Lytle, 
Esq. , of Forward township. He was educated at Washington and 
Jefferson College, read medicine with Dr. Linn, graduated from 
Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, in 1870, and after- 
wards took a special course on the eye. He opened an office 
here in 1876, and has since been in the active practice of his 
profession, until failing health obliged him to seek relief in a 
milder southern climate. Some months ago he went to North 
Carolina, but still failing, he went thence to Tennessee and, 
sending for his mother, died atliis sister's home, with his friends 
about his bedside. 

George Elmer Lytle was the son of Perry A. Lytle, Esq., of 
Forward township, born August 26, 1856, read medicine with 
Dr. George A. Linn, of this city, received his diploma as Doc- 
tor of Medicine from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, 
began practice when 20 years of age, and returned to Phila- 
delphia a few years later to take a special course on the eye. 
He was a successful practitioner from the very beginning, was 



Tht Old and New Monona ahela. . 79 

])()])ular in social circles, he bad the confidence of his clientele, 
and in his specialty of the Eye had already won an enviable 
reputation. 

Doctor Lytle was a member of the Presbyterian Church, he 
was a Mason and a Knight Templar. He held membership in 
Henry M. Phillips' Blue lodge, in Monongahela chapter of Holy 
Koyal Arch Masons, and in Pittsburgh Commandery No. 1. 
He was a member of the Order of Forresters ; was in the 
Junior Order of American Mechanics, and was honored by 
being Chief Marshal of the fine parade of 1889. He was a 
member of the Order of Solon, and of Guild No. 1 of Koyal 
Americans. The Doctor was very fond of the military. He 
entered service as hospital Stewart of the Tenth Regiment 
National Guards in 1876, and had risen to the rank of Major 
and Surgeon of the Tenth, which commission he held at his 
death. The regiment had no more popular officer. 

Doctor Lytle was intelligent and bright, sympathetic, com- 
panionable and honorable. He had a fund of humor that was 
irresistable, and his wit sparkled under the pleasant society of 
a circle of friends where he was alwaj's welcome. He will be 
missed from our city where he was much esteemed, and from 
many homes where he was the accepted family physician, 

Mrs. Margaret Lowrey Everhart 

Died in her home on State street, in the City of Chicago, 111., 
on Tuesday, April 28th, 1891. 

She was a daughter of Mr. James and Mary Plumer Smith, 
who removed from Pittsburgh to Blairsville in the spring of 
1827. 

He had met with heavy losses in his business and in trading 
in the Sciota country of Ohio, which finally overwhelmed him, 
and soon after, August, 1829, he died in Blairsville, and his 
family returned to Robbstown, Westmoreland county, near 
which the father of Mrs. Smith, the Hon. George Plumer, 
resided. 



80 Tlie Old and Neiii Monongaliela. 

Amongst the kindly tributes of friendly condolence at the 
funeral services of Mrs. Everhart, was one of rarely beautiful 
flowers from Mr. George M. Lyon and his sister, now resident 
in Chicago. Their grandfather and grandmother, Mr. and Mrs. 
George Mulhollan and the Hon. John Cunningham were the 
ever kind and sympathizing friends of Mr. and Mrs. Smith in 
their day of trouble in Blairsville, the remembrance of which 
has alM^ays been gratefully cherished by the writer, g. p. s. 

Mrs. Sarah F. Stevenson, 

Wife of Rev. Jos. H. Stevenson, D, D., died Tuesday, May 
26th, 1891, at her late residence in Mount Carmel, Wabash 
county, Illinois. 

She was born in West Newton, Westmoreland county. Fa. 
She was a daughter of Henry Fulton, a well known elder in 
the Presbyterian Church in Western Pennsylvania. Her 
mother was Elizabeth Plumer, daughter of Hon. George 
Plumer, who represented Westmoreland county in Congress 
for several terms. He was one of the substantial elements in 
the early settlement of Western Pennsylvania. His integrity 
as a citizen and his great moral worth as a representative are 
still cherished by the descendants of his constituents. 

The deceased graduated from the Washington Female Semi- 
nary in the Class of 1857, from which institution two of her 
daughters have since graduated. She united in early life with 
the Presbyterian Church of Monongahela City, Pa., during the 
ministrations of Rev. John Kerr. We cannot portray her 
Christian character in a truer light than by inserting here a few 
extracts from Rev. Dr. Spilman's remarks at the funeral of the 
deceased : 

"Mrs. Stevenson inherited from her parents a deep, strong, 
religious nature, which developed by the converting grace of 
God experienced in childhood, and carefully trained and in- 
structed in a Christian home of a positive type. Her strong, 
logical mind grasped the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church 



Tlie Old and Neic Monongahela. 8 1 

with more than ordinary clearness and intelligence. She was 
a Christian by the grace of God and a Presbyterian tVoni intel- 
ligent conviction and loving choice. Her religious life was 
rather quiet than demonstrative. Its current ran deep, and 
strong, and constant. Her spirit was reverent. To her the 
spiritual side of life was very real; the love of God was real; 
salvation was real; Christian obligation was real. She loved 
the Bible. To her it was the word of God; it was the daily 
food of her soul. She loved the house of God w4th its worship 
and holy fellowship, and never failed to attend its services 
when her strength permitted. The interests of Christ's kingdom 
lay constantly on her heart. The cause of missions deeply in- 
terested her, hence she could not rest without a missionary so- 
ciety in the church. Salvation meant so much to her, and her 
sympathy with Christ and for the perishing world was so deep 
and tender, that she felt a Christain woman must pray and labor 
and give constantly for the cause of missions. The deceased 
was a model minister's wife, deeply concerned in all that per- 
tained to the welfare of her husband's charge. The spiritual 
life of the church, and especially the care of the sick and the 
poor, received her tenderest thoughts. The friends who weep 
in this presence to-day and strew her casket with flowers, whose 
fragrance is fitly emblematical of the perfume of her beau- 
tiful and useful life, will add your testimony to the truth oi 
what I say. But I have occasion to know that Mrs. Stevenson 
is held in like loving, grateful remembrance by other congrega- 
tions who have felt the benediction of lier Christian life. They 
in Ijercavement mingle their tribute of tears and flowers with 
yours to-day. -i. s. v. 

LFiotii tiif Daily Republican. 1 

William J. ]\Iakkell 

DiiHJ at his late residence in Monongahela City, Saturday De- 
cein])er o, 1SI)2. He was l)orn in 1S24, in Greensboro, Cireene 
county, Pa., second son of William and Eli/a Markell. The 
family canu' to Mononu;alu'Ia Citv in lSr]0. In 1842 William 



82 The Old and New Monongaliela. 

went into the general merchandise store as clerk, then kept by 
his brother, John S. Markell. He remained in that capacity 
until 1847. 

In that year he went into the glass business for one year and 
then went on the Muskingum river as clerk on a steamer, but 
he soon afterwards accepted the captaincy of an Ohio river 
packet, and boated in that capacity for ten years, closing as 
part owner and captain of the Hartford and Endeavor 
respectively. Mr. Markell went west in 1858, and was as far 
out as Pike's Peak, and in other parts of the then new silver 
country. 

Mr. Markell was postmaster of this place from 1857 to 1860, 
and was succeeded by R. M. Clark at the election of Mr. 
Lincoln. After his return from the west he engaged in the 
tobacco business, then he was clerk at Mr. Kern's store, in the 
People's Bank building, and in 1875 in partnership w^ith Elijah 
Harrison he purchased the distillery at Mingo, which they 
operated in partnership for several years, when Markell bought 
the Josiah Taylor distillery and brewery, which he operated 
alone for several years. 

Another of our older citizens sleeps with the dead. A man 
whose sixty-two years' residence in our city had made him one 
of the best known among the business men of the t(»wn. As 
postmaster under President Buchanan, his oiiicial life was char- 
acterized by probity and courtesy. Socially Mr. William J. 
Markell was full of humor, he always saw the pleasanter side, 
and the quiet chuckle of his fitn pointed many a joke. He was 
a meml)er of the Protestant Episcopal church, of the Masonic 
lodge, and was l)y political faith a Democrat of the Jacksonian 
kind. 

He had been over the sea twice, and seemed to enjoy telling 
of his observations in Europe, as well as of the halcyon days 
of his steamboat life, and the experience of his trip to Pike's 
Peak in the early sixties. 

He was married twice, first in 1852 to Margaret Dougherty, 
by whom he had four sons, William, Edw;n-d, Cliarles and Lewis, 



Tlie Old and New MonongaJiela. 83 

all of this city. After his wife's death he again married, in 
1880, to Mary Kern, by whom he has two children, Eliza and 
Norman Keys Markell. 

In his later life Mr. Markell had sufi'ered from the prostra- 
tion of a paralysis. Ilis family has been tender and kind, his 
wife a loving minister at his bedside in all the hours of his ill- 
ness and suffering. 

Historical Address 

Delivered by J. S. Van Vookhis, M. D., November 15, 1892, on the One 
Hundredth Anniversary of Monougaiiela City, Pa. 

Abraham Decker originally laid claim to the land on which 
the upper part of Monongahela City is located. The title was 
based on a Virginia entry and confirmed by patent No. 3783, 
bearing the date of August 26th, 1769. Having passed the 
researches and dispute between the states of Virginia and 
Pennsylvania, the Board of Property finally declared the title 
to be valid. 

In the year 1770 the Parkisons arrived from the east in 
search of a home in the wilds of the Monongahela Valley and 
selected the Decker plateau as a most desirable site, and in 
course of time secured the title to Joseph, as above stated. Of 
the Parkisons, there were five brothers, viz : Joseph, Thomas, 
James, Benjamin and William. It is in Joseph w^e have the 
most interest. Our information is that Joseph Parkison mar- 
ried Miss Margaret Weaver, a regular descendent in the Penn- 
sylvania Dutch line. They had as children, James, David, 
William and Mary. 

The Deckers had reared their pi-imitive cabin a short distance 
above the spring on what is now the Van Voorhis homestead, 
on Pigeon Creek, and consequently Joseph Parkison on his 
arrival was compelled either to dwell in a tent . or enjoy tlie' 
lios])itality of the Deckers. The Devore Ferry, authorized in 
1775, was in <»i)eration on the arrival of Parkison. It was 
known as Devorc^s Ferrv until 1782, when the landing of 



84 The Old and JVein Monongahela. 

Devore on the north side, and that of Parkison on the south, 
near the mouth of Pigeon Creek, was established by law as 
Parkison' s Ferry. Prior to this date Devore seems to have 
had kind of a private ferry, worked to suit his own will. 
Devore had at an early date a store near his landing, which 
was a branch of the great store of David Furnier, located just 
below Belle vernon of the present day. 

It was about this time in the history of the settlement that 
the pioneers realized the necessity of a postoffice. Browns- 
ville, Bassett Town (now Washington), and Pittsburgh, were 
the nearest postoftices. The office was granted and named 
Parkison' s Ferry. It is very probable that the keen eye of 
Joseph Parkison saw in the Ferry money at no distant day. A 
public road had, in 1781, been laid out from the town now 
called Washington to the mouth of what is now First street, 
though in the town originally known as Ford stre(^t, named so 
on account of that point of the river being, in low water, 
forded by the traveler. The established ferry and the newly 
laid out road soon attracted tlie attention of the public and 
resulted in giving the point an importance which in a very 
short time induced Joseph Parkison to erect on the new road 
his inn, which the older citizens will recollect stood back from 
what is now Main street, but fronting the public road, which • 
run diagonally from the mouth of Ford street across the bottom . 
land and up the hill westward. 

It was located on the second lot up from Stewart's alley. 
The old part of the building was log, but the new addition, 
with its well remembered porch extending to Main street, was 
frame. The log part of this house was, beyond all question, • 
the first erected on the site of the town, but not the first on 
the Decker tract, as we have already stated. The original 
settlers generally in the valley selected their new homes out , 
from the river. The value of the river was overlooked in the 
terror of Indian depredations, which were more frequent on 
the river, where their wigwams were located. Joseph Parki- 
son, with no fear of the Indian, entered into the business t^ 
succeed. 



Tltt Old and Nen^ 2fo)U)ii<ji(heJ((. 85 

The increased trade and travel on this route, to and from the 
east, of which Joseph Parkison was more cognizant than any 
other person, owing to his position as inn keeper, was the 
potent incentive to his hijing out of the new town of Williams- 
port, named as such in honor of his son William. After hav- 
ing the ground surveyed and a plot thereof made, he offered 
the lots at public sale, as will be seen by an advertisement in 
an October, 1792, issue of the Pittsburgh Gazette^ from which 
we extract the following : 

"The subscriber has laid out a part of his farm on the Mo- 
nongahela river, in the county of Washington, at the mouth of 
Pigeon creek, opposite Devore's Ferry, into lots for a town, 
the sale of which will begin on the premises on the 15th day 
of November next. " 

Wash-ington Co., Oct. 20, 1702. 

Joseph Pakkison. 

The sale was not very successful, owing not so much to it 
being a new enterprise as to the fact that difficulties still 
existed, growing out of the issuing of Pennsylvania patents 
and Virginia certificates. In 1706 however, the Board of 
Property decided that Joseph Parkison was the legal owner of 
the tract of land on which the town was laid. In pursuance 
of such decision, the patent issued August 26th, 1769, to 
Abraham Decker, was given May 11th, 1796, to Joseph 
Parkison. •Encouraged by this decision and coirfident of suc- 
cess, Parkison determined once more to offer ror sale additional 
h^ts in the town. Tlie notice of this sale for August 26, 179(!, 
was pul)lished in the Tcl<'(jr<ij>/(<^ a news})ape!' printed in Wash- 
ington, Pa., by Messrs. Wm. Hunter & Co. Tlie notice was 
in the foi-m <»f a ])roclamation and on account of its interesting 
and novel features, we will read it entire : 

"• Whereas, the subscriber has layed out lotts for a town on 
his plantation, near the mouth of Pigeon creek, on the 26th of 
August, Instant, notice is liereby given to all those who incline 
to becomo purchaser or purchasers of said lott or lotts of this 

s 



80 Th>' Old and New Monongaliela. 

special condition, that every of said purchaser or purchasers of 
said lott or lotts are to be prevented from erecting or causing 
to be erected, any craft, boat or canoe for the conveying of 
passengers across the Monougahela river, but the same 
is hereby reserved to the subscriber or his heirs or assigns, 
so far as the chiim of the subscriber extends. The hiest bidder 
for each lott or lotts to be the buyer. Any person or persons 
purchasing any lott or lotts are to pay one third of the purchase 
money by the third day of September next, one third part by 
the 26th of November next, and the remaining third part to 
be paid on or before the 26th of February next, when the pur- 
chaser will receive a sufficient title for each lott or lotts, sub- 
ject to the payment of one dollar per annum on each lott, to 
be payable the 1st of October each year, first year due Octo- 
ber, 1797. 

Any person or persons inclining to have their deed or deeds 
before the above described time, may, on payment of the pur- 
chase money, immediately receive them. Notes and security 
will be required for the first payment, and failure of making the 
second payment, the first will be forfeited to the proprietor, 
and on failure of the third payment, the first and second to be 
forfeited and the lotts to revert to the owner. Each lott is 60 
feet in front and 200 feet deep. The streets 60 feet wide, and 
the alleys extending from the river to the hill, 15 feet wide, 
the cross alleys, from 15 to 25 feet wide, accordijig to the sit- 
uation of the ground. 

August 26th, 1796. Joseph Pakkison."' 

In the general plan of the town, a lot of ground was re- 
served in the centre for a market house and also a lot for a 
school house and meeting house. By way of publicity to the 
sale of lots, Esquire DePew certified that the town was laid 
out and lots sold and some built upon, as witnessed his hand 
and seal January 11th, 1797. At this sale of August 26tli. 
1796, twenty-four lots were sold at ju-ices ranging from !ii>22 to 
S>2o9, the total being |1,385. On the laying out of the tov/n, 
the old road was superceded by JVlain street, or Market street 



The Old and New Monoiujahela, 87 

as it was originally named. Traces of the old road as it passed 
up the hill can still be seen. The earliest road viewers did not 
realize that it was just as near to go around a hill as to run 
over the summit, hence all the ancient road paths crossed the 
top of the hill rather than go around it. 

The original plot of the town extended from Ford, now First 
street, to almost Race, now Third street. The original Parki- 
son & Froman line cut one lot above Race at the river and two 
lots at the upper end on the hill. The tract of land adjoining 
the new town at Race, now Third street, was patented to Paul 
Froman and sold by him to Adam Wickerman March 13th, 
1702. On this same tract, or part thereof, Adam Wickerman 
laid out Georgetown in 1807. The Georgetown plot was made 
a part of Williamsport by the act of Adam Wickerman in the 
following paper : 

''I, Adam Wickerman, do certify that this plot is made 
agreeable to my direction and that I do acknowledge it as a 
part of Williamsport, formerly cawled Georgetown, as witness 
my hand seal this 23d day of February, 1816.'^ 

The towns had been in separate plots under different names 
for nearly ten years, and we can readily imagine the rivalry 
and conflicting interests that would spring up between the two 
villages. Prior to this date the lot holders had insisted on and 
finally required of Wickerman that he should record it as Wil- 
liamsport. This paper was signed by such lot holders as John 
Cooper, Patrigk Burke, John R. Shugart, Joseph Butler, W. 
P. Biles, John Shouse, Michael Miller, Peter Shouse, James 
Manown, Joseph Hamilton, Thomas Gordon and others of no 
less influence. East Williamsport was laid out in 1811, by 
James Mitchell, an early river trader and active progressive 
l)usincss man, and was well known as Esquire Mitchell. The 
addition has always been more generally known as Catsburg, 
named in honor of Kitty Caldwell and her kittens, whose history 
can be related in full by Ex-Mayor R. C. King. That jiart of 
the town known as the Island, though owned by Parkison, was 



88 The Old and JSev) Monongahela. 

not iiicluded within the original town ph)t. The Island made 
by Pigeon creek on two sides and the Monongahela river on 
the other, did not foreshadow flattering prospects for an exten- 
sion of the town, yet in time, aiid for a time, it has been a 
busy hive of industry. 

Parkison owned the Island without improving very much 
until January 5th, 1829, at which time it was sold to James 
Manown by Sheriff Henderson. By this sale the right of the 
Washington county side of the ferry passed to the same pur- 
chaser. The ravine which reached the river at the mouth of 
Ford, now First street, has almost disappeared. Either by in- 
heritance or otherwise, the Allegheny side of the ferry passed 
into the Manown family. The Manowns operated the ferry 
until 1838, when the building of the bridge rendered it useless. 
On many of the lots in the Georgetown addition ground rent 
was fixed, but in the original Parkison plot only a small portion 
of the lots was finally subject to such an incumbrance. 

In the original design of the. town a public square was re- 
served for a market house, and Parkison intended also a lot 
for a meeting house and a school house. How far his ideas 
were executed we shall know by the sequel. The square was 
reserved at the crossing of Market, changed to Main street and 
Washington, now Second street ; besides the street crossings, 
a certain number of feet at each corner was included within 
the square. The buildings of Joseph Brown, of the Nucleus 
Hall Association, of R. C. King and the People's Bank now 
occupy ground intended to be included within tlie ]iublic 
square. 

The primitive Market House stood in part on this square on 
Main, just below Second street. Our notes do not show at 
what time or by what means or by whom it was built. We do 
know that it was there in 1834, and it is very likely that it 
was erected soon after the incorporation of the town of Wib 
liamsport into a borough by the act of April Sth, 1833. In 
course of time this l)uilding was removed to Secoiul street 
above Main. The building was erected on brick pillars, and 



The Old and NeiDMonongahela. 89 

in not many years after its removal the boys had so far de- 
stroyed the columns as necessitated its taking away. The 
building and object were both failures. The beef shops and 
wagons have long since taken the place of Market Houses. 

The reserve for a meeting house never cropped out, only in 
consideration of a certain sum of money Joseph Parkison and 
Adam Wickerman, in July, ISl-i, did convey to certain trustees 
for building a meeting house, the tract of land known in part 
as lot No. 72, on which was afterward erected a brick church 
building by contributions from all denominations, and on which 
was located the primitive graveyard, in which were buried a 
large number of the older citizens of the town and surrounding 
country, and in which, we regret to say, are the remains of 
many of the older fathers neglected because unremembered. 
The lot for a school house was forgotten and the scholars of the 
impromptu schools had to find shelter for training in whatever 
shanty could be found unfitted for any other purpose. 

By an act of Assembly approved by Gov. Wolfe, April 3d, 
1833, Williamsport was incorporated into a borough. The act 
appointed the third Friday in May for the first election, and 
thereafter the third Friday of March each year, at the tavern of 
Joseph Caldwell. The elections ordered by the act of incor- 
poration related merely to Borough oflicers, not changing the 
township officers, as the new borough remained in Fallowfield 
and Nottingham until September 30th, 1834, and in Carroll 
until 1812. By whom the first election was held we can not 
ascertain, neither do we know who were chosen officers, only 
as we gather from the proceedings relating to the death of 
Joseph Parkison. On the death of Joseph Parkison, the 
Monongahela Patriot of April 29th, 1834, published in Wil- 
liamsport, states : 

"Died — In this borough on Monday night, April 28tli, 1834, 
at the advanced age of 94 years, Mr. Joseph Parkison. Mr. 
P. was well known to many as the original proprietor of this 
place, from whom it received the name of Parkison's Ferry. 
Although his death was long looked for, it has cast a gloom 



90 The Old and New Monongahela. 

over our citizens. The following testimony of respect from 
om- town authorities, to the memory of the deceased, was 
handed in a few moments before our paper went to press. 

TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. 

Whereas, we have learned with deep regret of the death of 
our aged and esteemed fellow citizen, Joseph Parkison, the 
original proprietor of this town. Therefore 

Besolved^ That as testimony of respect to the memory of the 
deceased, we will attend his funeral this afternoon at 4 o'clock, 
and that it be recommended to the citizens generally to attend 
on said occasion. 

By order of the council of the borough of Williamsport. 

Aaron Kerr, President. 
John Bausman, Secretary.'' 

The philology of the name would indicate that Joseph 
Parkison was of English descent, but of his early history we 
have very little information. He was born in 1740, seven 
years before General Washington visited Western Pennsylvania, 
and fifteen years before Braddock's defeat on the Monongahela 
river. He immigrated to this region in the 30th year of his age. 
He settled here at a time when the spirit of the Revolution was 
quietly pervading the American heart. He laid out his new 
town in perfect faith of the greatness and perpetuity of the new 
nation born at the close of the war of Independence. He died 
after seeing his town arise from a wilderness to take a proud 
position among the flourishing villages in Western Pennsylvania. 

In early life Parkison was a tall, bony, muscular man, dressed 
rather fashionable in the costume of his day, with knee buckles 
and shoe buckles, such as these. In his older days he wore 
side whiskers, and the well known que of the times. Some 
of the older citizens can recall him changotl to an old, bent in 
form man, sitting on the porch, trembling with nearly a century 
of years and waiting the summons to pass through the gate to 
the beyond. Instead of neglect marking his grave, the citizens 
should long since have erected over it a monument in com- 



The Old and New Monongahela. 91 

luoiJioratioii of liis deeds of daring in establishing the town in 
a wilderness, now a garden of ever blooniino; flowers. 

In 1833 the name of the postofRce was changed to Williams- 
port, and April 1st, 1837, it took the present name of Monon- 
gahela City — it ought to have been Parkison City. We have 
failed to obtain from the department the name of the first post- 
master at Parkison 's Ferry, but it is conceded that as Joseph 
Parkison was instrumental in obtaining the ofiice, he must have 
been appointed postmaster, and, in addition, from the fact 
that he had a store in connection with his inn. On the arri- 
val of the late Ira Butler and his father's family, in 1805, 
Adam Hailman was postmaster, and in 1813 he was still in 
the office. Hailman died February 24:th, 1813. He was 
succeeded by Mr. White, father of J. W. F. White, now a 
distinguished judge in Allegheny county. He was succeeded 
by Geo. Wythe, for many years a business man in the town. 

We cannot recall all the successors to Wythe, but we are all 
familiar with the names of Jesse Martin, W. S. Mellinger, J. 
W. Smith, W. J. Markell, E. M. Clark, Chill Hazzard, Jas. 
H. Moore, W. C. Robinson and W. W. Bentley. Postage on 
letters in the early days of the town was rated according to the 
distance, three cents, six and one-quarter, twelve and one-half, 
eighteen and three-quarters and twenty-five cents for a single 
sheet, no matter how large. The custom was not to prepay 
the postage, and it was considered a breach of etiquette to pre- 
pay. The mail in Parkison, Hailman and White's time was 
carried* on horseback by post-boys, as they were called. The 
old fashioned saddle bags contained the mail. 

Although the town had been incoi-porated for nine years, yet 
it never had severed its connection with Carroll township as a 
general voting district. Before the formation of Carroll town- 
ship, September 30th, 1834, a part of the citizens of the town 
of Williamsport voted with Fallowfield, at the tavern house of 
Abram Frye, on the farm now owned by heirs of Washington 
Cooper, on the Pittsburgh and Brownsville State road, and the 
remaining citizens voted with Nottingham township. From 



92 The Old and New Monongahela. 

September, 1834, to May 26th, 1842, the voting place of Car- 
rol] and the borough was at the tavern of Joseph Hamilton, 
known as the City Hotel, and stood where now is T. S. Mc- 
Curdy "s hardware store. After the separation the voting place 
of the town remained at the same place, but the citizens of 
Carroll voted for a time in a little brick oftlce of Thomas Col- 
lins, Esq., near the corner of Main and Cemetery streets, in 
Catsburg. 

In after years the poling place was removed to the Rose- 
Thompson house, up the turnpike, a short distance outside the 
borough. In the borough, in the course of time, the place 
of holding elections was moved to the Teeters hotel, corner 
Second and Railroad streets. The ground on which the hotel 
stood is now owned by the railroad company. On the incor- 
poration of the borough into a city, by Act of Assembly of 
March 21:th, 1873, three wards were formed, each of which 
constituted a voting district. At the first city election John 
Holland was choosen mayor, and Hon. S. H. Huston is mayor 
at the present time. 

The city embraces a large extent of territory in comparison 
with the original design of Parkison. The early business of 
the town was transacted on a trading scale, generally only a 
very small amount of cash being current. The exports and 
imports were transported by means of the pack horse. About 
the time the town received its new impetus, after the second 
sale of lots, the river became utilized as a means of tran^sporta- 
tion by crude crafts, called flatboats or broadhorns, now known 
as coalboats. William Parkison was, no doubt, the first to 
build such boats at his yard in the "gut,'' as it was called, at 
the mouth of Ford street. These crafts, loaded with whiskey, 
flour, etc., were floated to the lower markets. 

The flat, for local use,«ucceeded such crafts. Their destiny 
Vv^as Pittsburgh and up river trading points. They were re- 
turned by being pushed with the old time pike pole. The koelboat 
succeeded the flat and was used until displaced by the steam- 
boat. The keelboats always landed at the mouth of Pigeon 



The Old and New Monongahela. 93 

crock, which was not only Ji convenient landing, but a safe 
harbor. Steamboats never made this point a landing place. 
They first landed at the Chess wharf, at the mouth of Ferry, 
now Fourth street. The Limetown packet, Ploughman, com- 
manded by Captain Joe Chester, was the first to make regular 
landings at this wharf. Then followed the Export, of which I. 
C. Woodward was Captain; here, also, the Dr. Pollock boat, 
the Moxahala, and others made landings, until the completion 
of the Slack water. 

In 184:5 the Consul and Louis McLane entered the regular 
l^acket line, and had their landing at the Chess wharf, until the 
town council had it removed to the mouth of Washington, now 
Second street. Another avenue of trade was opened up by the 
Washington and Williamsport turnpike. The company was 
chartered by Act of March 18th, 1816. It is still called a 
turnpike in name. It was constructed under very great finan- 
cial difficulties, and was only completed by the State coming to 
its aid with a liberal subscription to the stock. For many years 
this turnpike was on the great route from east to the west. The 
older citizens will call to mind the thousands of foreign imi- 
grants who, in the old Conestoga road wagon, wended their 
way west, where their descendents now make up the empire of 
states between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. 

This westward move of imigration was at its height between 
1830 to 1840. At this period, for the most part, Conrad 
Crickbaum and Frank Manown were running the Ferry at the 
mouth of Pigeon creek. Crickbaum did the work and Frank 
took care of the cash, and it would be wonderful if in that 
period Frank had not become an adept in the Dutch vernacular. 
On the turnpike was established a line of coaches, called stages, 
each of which could carry nine passengers and the mail. 

These stages were very substantially and nicely finished. 
They were drawn by four horses, managed by a driver on a seat 
constructed on the up])er and front part. We can only call to 
mind tMM) of the prominent drivers. Bob Backhouse and Samuel 
Burgess. The stage office and horses were kept at the tavern 



94 The Old and New Monongahela. 

()i Joseph Hamilton, long known as the City Hotel. The lirst 
survey through the town for a railroad was by B. H. Latrobe, 
in 1835. The line was run along Coal street and across Pigeon 
creek, in the rear of the Applegate property, in Catsburg. 

Opposition in the Legislature, and the cry that the passage 
through Washington county of a railroad would ruin Pittsburgh 
and make the grass to grow over the National pike, prevented 
the company from getting the right of way. After several 
unsuccessful efforts, the railroad company finally constructed 
its road around Washington county, leaving Pittsburgh to seek 
other channels of transit to the east, and thus the town of Wil- 
liamsport, through the whims of a few would be philanthropists, 
was deprived of railroad facilities for thirty-eight years. 

In 1850, May 15th, the Hempfield railroad company was 
incorporated with the view of constructing a railroad from 
Greensburg to Wheeling. It was to cross the river just below 
Third street. After a large sum of money had been expended 
the work was abandoned. In 1873 the Pittsburgh, Virginia 
& Charleston railroad was opened to this city. The late Dr. 
W. L. S. Wilson was appointed agent and sold the first ticket 
to Maj. A. P. Foster, now of Florida. Dr. Wilson held the 
position until his death, September 6th, 1886. He was a 
genial ofticer, a good citizen and amiable gentleman. His 
early death was not only a loss to the railroad company, but 
to the town in which he had so long resided. 

The completion of the McKeesport & Belle Yernon railroad 
in October, 1889, on the east shore of the Monongahela river, 
added another avenue to the growing trade of this city, whose 
100th anniversary we celebrate to-day. January 4th and 5th, 
1832, petitions were presented by Messrs. Waugh and Patter- 
son, of Washington county, and Gebhart of Somerset, in the 
Legislature, in favor of incorporating a company to build a 
bridge across the Monongahela at Williamsport. The act pro- 
posed an appropriation in its aid, which gave rise to a very 
active opposition in both houses, but through the efforts of the 
members from Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland and 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 95 

Allegheny counties, it was passed, carrying with it an appro- 
priation of $15,000, which was approved by Gov, Wolfe, 
March 16th, 1832. 

This bridge was built of pine frame on stone piers. It stood 
on the site of the present bridge. The old bridge was burne^i 
in 1883 or '84:, and the present iron one erected in 188T. In 
1800 Joseph Parkison was the inn keeper, and in connection 
therewith he had a trading mercantile store, in which certain 
goods were kept to be sold for cash or produce, such as grain 
whiskey, furs in the shape of skins. Iron and salt. transported 
from east of the mountains* on pack horses were ver}'^ common 
commodities. 

A tavern, store and blacksmith shop in old times constituted 
a town. Tradition credits Parkison with being, in his early 
day, a shrewd, successful Indian trader. At the close of the 
last century (1794) Samuel Black appeared in the town as a 
merchant and down river trader. He built the house long 
known as the red house, on the river bank just below First 
street. The very site of the building has long since been 
washed away by the ravages of the river. He was very suc- 
cessful in business, and at his death in 1846, was considered 
one of the most wealthy men in the county. He was a man 
of large stature and always wore a que. 

Daniel DePue was the Esquire of his day. He lived in the 
old log house on the point at the mouth of Pigeon creek. His 
peculiar signature is attaclied to many of the older deeds. His 
first commission was dated March 12th, 1792. 

William Irwin was also a merchant, had his store in a log 
room on the corner of First street. He, in 1802, built the old 
part of the house now occupied by Mrs. Kerr, and it was the 
first brick house in the town. He died in 1822, and was 
buried in the old graveyard on the hill, where his remains and 
those of his wife are to this day. His son John married 
Margaret Guthrie, niece of the late Joseph Wilson, of whom 
others will speak. At the beginning of this century James 
Warne and William Parkison were associated as merchants. 



96 The Old and New Monongahela . 

In 1805 James Warne married Mary, daughter of Joseph 
Farkison and sister to his business partner. Not \o\\g after 
his marriage Warne built the house on Main street, above 
Stewart's alley, so many years the residence of Joseph Wilson. 
In this house all of Warne's children were born, excepting one. 
James Warne, in 1820, purchased from James Farkison the 
farm above Catsburg, on which he resided until his death in 
1855. His son, Joseph F., now owns it. 

William Farkison, son of Joseph Farkison, and business 
partner of James Warne, owned, in early days, the farm long 
known as the Black homestead, on the pike, in what is now 
called Belle videre. He built the old mansion still standing on 
the turnpike. In front of this ^nansion on the meadow land, 
William had a race course in circular form, through the wood- 
land. This race ground gave rise to the name of Race, now 
Third street, in the town of Williamsport, laid out by his 
father. 

In October, 1805, Benjamin Butler, with his family, arrived 
in the town on his way west, but he having died the first night 
after liis arrival, the family abandoned the idea of going any 
further, and settled here. Thie arrival of the family and the 
death of the father created no little stir. Other particulars will 
no doubt be related by the committee on genealogy. Business 
and the social status of the town received a new impulse 
through the Butler family. 

Adam Wickerman, proprietor of Georgetown, was an active 
business man in early days. He was the father of William 
Wickerman, Mrs. Mary Chess and Mrs. John Bausman, who 
is still alive and resides in Washington, Fa. 

George Trout built, prior to 1805, and kept the tavern on 
Main street, afterwards so long carried on by Joseph Caldwell. 

Natha]! Chalfant was a boatbuilder. 

A. B. Chess was farmer and trader ; he built the old frame 
tavern on the river bank above Ferry street, known as Chess"' 
tavern. 

But time will fail us to tell, in detail, of Dr. Rose, Aeneas 



Tlie Old <ind New Monongaliela. 97 

Graham, Frederick Layman, Thomas Officer, Drs. King, Pol- 
hick and Brooks, Esq. Mitchell, James Gordon, Wm. Hunter, 
John Eckles, J. and R. McGrew, John Watkins, Washington 
Palmer, who built the City Hotel, W. P. Biles, John Shouse, 
Peter Shouse, Robert Beebee, Joseph Hamilton, Jesse Martin, 
Benjamin Furguson and many others more or less prominent. 
We will refer only to a few. 

Joseph McClure was the first cabinet maker in the town. 
He made the coffin in which was buried the older Benjamin 
Butler. His shop stood just below the old City Hotel, in 
which Joseph Hamilton so long had his shop, and in which the 
late Jefferson M'Lain passed most of his mechanical life, and 
in which were made the larger part of the coffins interred in 
the old graveyard. 

Thomas Wells was the first saddle and harness maker. 

Charles Bollman located in the town about 1810. He had 
a store in the first place in a log building near the baidc of the 
river, a short distance below Ford street. Two houses were 
between this store room and the red house already mentioned. 
Tn one of these houses Dick Manks, the Parkison ferryman, 
lived, and the other was occupied in later years by Wm. Wad- 
dell, the wheelbarrow maker. Dick Manks is universally con- 
ceded to have been the first colored man settled in the town, 
even antedating Charlie the beer man, and Elijah and Thomas 
Bowman. Bollman in after years erected a brick house on 
Main, two doors above Second street. On the corner next to 
the alley, he had a store r(»om, to which he removed his store. 
About 1S8(^ his dwelling and store room and goods were 
burned, this being the first fire in the town. The liouse and 
store room were rebuilt, but the marks of the fire can yet be 
seen on the front l^rick work. 

Joel Butler built tlie lu'ick liouse now owned and occu])ied 
by Mrs. A. J. Stewart. James P. Stewart owned it, we tln'nk, 
from th(^ days of Butler. In this house Aaron Kerr Ii\-e(l and 
hiid a store for many years. 

Joseph Wilson, successor to H. Wilson & Son, luid a store 



98 Thi Old atul N'eir MoiionydJichi. 

for iieiirly half a century on Main street, just below the l^arki- 
son tavern. 

The good old Jesse Martin had the postoffice and a shoe shop 
for many years on the corner of Main and Second streets, 
where now stands the Odd Fellows building. He also kept 
the office on the Dick King corner, wdiere Sutman's shoe shop 
now is. He lived for many years in the brick house just below, 
which has been displaced by the new house built by his grand- 
son, the late James C. Scott, in which is now the clothing 
store of W. C. Rolinson. 

The old glass works on coal street, below Washington, now 
Second street, were erected by Warne, Parkison & Co. , in 
1816. The company consisted of James Warne, William 
Parkison, Joel and Benjamin Butler. For convenience in their 
business, the company issued a currency in the shape of bank 
notes, known better as shinplasters, redeemable in goods or 
current bank notes at their store. These notes were of the 
denomination of 6^, or lips; 12|^, or levys; 25 and 50 cents. 
This effort to make glass was a failure. The works were sold 
by the sheriff to Samuel Black, and J. and K. McGrew, w'hich 
after being repaired, were leased to Wm. Ihmsen. 

Sometime prior to 1834, Wm. Ihmsen erected what was 
called the new factory, on the Island. Ho operated both 
of these factories until the day of his death. He was consid- 
ered the most extensive and successful glass man of his day. 
In 1834, in the old factory, were blowers as follows: John 
Shouse, John Caldwell, John Tevis, Wash. Spence, Chas. 
Rose, Nat. McCalla and H. D. Cooper. John S- Markell was 
apprenticed to Nat. McCalla. Rollers were then made 24 by 
30 inches and now 87 by 52 inches. 

In later years Samuel Black erected a glass works at Dry 
Run. It never was much of a success. The glass factory at 
the lower end of the town, now in operation under O'Leary, is 
the last effort to make glass in this city. Wm. Ihmsen, Henry 
Ihmsen, John S. Markill, A. L. Williams, Smith and Ilerron 
were the more prominent glass manufacturers in fornier days. 



The Old and Neiv Monongahela. 99 

The old hotel now owned bj Gregg Brothers was kept by 
Caleb Harvey, A. L. Williams, Stephen Earnest 1840 to '45 
and Jacob Weltuer. We have not any knowledge who origin- 
ally carried on the Chess tavern other than at one time, George 
Rose, the older, had it rented; then it was converted into a 
cabinet shop, where Abe Elliot and Jonn Brownlee did work 
for Cyrus Huston. It was in this room where Huston and 
lawyer T. J. Fox Alden had their headquarters during the long 
litigation with A. B. Chess, in determining the title to the farm 
on which the lower part of this city is now built, and wdiich 
had been willed to Mrs. Chess by her father, Adam Wicker- 
man. 

George Rose also kept a tavern and cake and beer stand in 
the old frame house which stood on what is now Brown's cor- 
ner. Main and Second streets. 

The tavern alreadj' mentioned, built by George Trout on 
Main street, short distance below the Episcopal church, had in 
its day several landlords, such as George Trout, Joseph Cald- 
well, A. T. Gregg and John Chessrown. The old City Hotel, 
which has already been mentioned, was built by Washington 
Palmer, in 1811, just before he went into the army with Cap- 
tain James Warne's company. Joseph Hamilton, Henry Wil- 
son, Caleb Harvey and W. H. Miller were landlords in this 
tavern. 

Abram Teeters had a tavern iov many years at the corner of 
Second and Railroad streets. After his death it was kept ])y 
his son, Dan Teeters. The house was used for a depot after 
the building of the railroad, and on the completion of the 
present depot, the old tavern house was torn away. 

The brick house, corner Main and Fourth streets, was erected 
l)y James Mercer prior to 1834. He used the corner for a 
store room, in which he kept the first exclusive shoe store in 
town. He was drowned at the wharf, mouth of Fourth street, 
l)y his horse plunging into the river. After his death the house 
was used as a tavern by Mrs. Backhouse, Shively Hazclbaker, 
Abram Fulton, Jas. P. Shcpler, T. B. Wilgus and the present 
landlord, and perhaps others whose names we cannot recall. 



100 Tlic Old and A\in MonoinjaJula. 

John Lamb, in early days, carried on a tan yard over the 
creek where David Woodward, whose wife was a Butler, lived 
to the day of his death, he having married his wife previous 
to emigrating from the cast with the Butler family. I think 
his son Noble lived in this house most, if not all of his life. 
David's son, Joseph, still lives, and has for many years 
resided in Catsburg, he to-day is one of the substantial 
mechanics of the town, a living link l)etween the past and 
present Butler family. 

John Cooper removed from West Newton, -in old time called 
Robbstown, to this place in 181(», and purchased from Adam 
Wickerman the lots now occupied by the residence of the late 
James P. Shepler, and the old school house, on which he 
erected a tannery. His wife's maiden name was Miss Sparks. 
They were married March 2nd, 1809. John Cooper died March 
1st, 1820, leaving a widow and sons Richard Sparks, Ilezekiah 
D., John S. and Robert F., and one daughter, Mary Jane, who 
married the late Dr. R. F. Biddle, and is the only surviving 
child of John Cooper. 

Mrs. Cooper married John Shonse March 2Sth, 1828. He 
died at the Valley Inn, on the pike, now called Baidland Post 
Office, August 13th, 1834, leaving one son, W. II. Shouse, 
now of Cincinnati, Ohio, aiul one daughter, Fannie C, wife 
of Rev. J. P. Fulton, of Harper, Kansas. 

The sons of John Cooper inherited much of the military 
spirit of their grandfather, Richard Sparks, who had been a 
soldier in the Indian and Revolutionary Wars, aiul was at the 
close of the Revolution a Colonel in the United States army. 
He died in the south whilst on duty. 

Richard S., son of John Cooper, served as a soldier in the 
Mexican AV^ar, and was for years Captain of the old Jackson 
Guards, of which the late Washington Eckles was fifer and 
Noble Woodward drummer. He died November 13th, 1857. 
Hezekiah received his title from being captain in a militia 
company which did corn stalk service at the stone tavern stand 
of Alexander Camp])ell, on the pike above the toll gate, and 
at Ginger Hill. 



Thr Old III, 'J JSfein Moivn,<ja]i<-hi. 10] 

R. F. Cooper was not only a man of learning, but one of 
the most accomplished military men of the state. He died in 
the United States service in 1864. 

James Gordon, for years in connection with a store had a 
tan yard on Main Street, above Bollman's alley. He built the 
brick house, corner of Main and Bollman's alley, in which he 
lived for many years. The same yard in after years was 
operated by John J. Linn, Henry Fulton and Richard Stock- 
dale. Matthew Fleming, in the forties, had a small tannery 
on the river bank just below the present knitting factory. He 
abandoned the tan yard to accept the position of toll keeper of 
the bridge. 

^neus Graham was an early resident of the town. He was 
a tailor by trade, a wise and good man. He had his tailor 
shop first in the old building two doors above the Cocain Hotel 
on Second street, and afterward for a time on the corner where 
now stands the Odd Fellows' building. He removed to the 
brick building, corner of Third and Main streets, now owned 
by Mrs. Phillips. He erected this house and lived in it to the 
day of his death. His wife was a daughter of Daniel DePuo 
and mother of S. B. Bentley's first wife. 

Frederick Layman, the tailor, emigrated from Germany and 
came direct to Williamsport in 1807, where he resided all of 
his. long life. Ho lived at first in the old house that stood 
where now is located the brick house occupied by Mrs. H. D. 
Cooper in the latter part of her life. It is situated on Main 
street, three doors above the Peoples Bank. Some time prior 
to 1834, Frederick Layman built the brick house on the north 
cast corner of Main street and Church alley, in which he died, 
we think, in 1846. This building is now owned by John S. 
Markell. 

The first suit of clothes Layman made in this country was 
for Major James Warne, and also the last suit he made was for 
him. He finished the suit in the evening and was dead before 
morning. He was the father of Wm. Layman, who died not 
many years ago in the Third ward of this citv. William was 



1(J2 The Old and New Monongahela. 

the father of Wilson and Fred Layman, formerly citizens of 
this place. Frederick Layman also owned at his death a tract 
of land on Pigeon creek, adjoining Stockton. 

Wm. P. Biles was an early settler in the town and was the 
first citizen who pretended to practice law in the place. He 
was also a singing master. He lived for years in the old house 
which stood on Main Street, a little west of Mark Borland's 
residence. Biles, though not educated in the classics, yet was 
a man of genius and made himself heard when conducting suits 
before the old time Esquires. It is said he had two prices for 
conducting a law suit, two dollars and a half if the client found 
the witnesses, and five if he found them. In all he was a pe- 
culiar character. 

J. R. Shugart and Henry Rabe were old time saddlers, but 
for the last half a century P. M. Clark has been the fixed 
saddle and harness maker. 

Before and sometime after ISSi, Samuel Devore had a brew- 
ery on Main street, the remains of which can yet be seen oppo- 
site the brick row in the "gut,'"' as it used to be called. 

Billy Savage was the old time stone cutter. He lived on the 
Island and made most of the old time stone tombstones, many 
of which lay scattered in the old graveyard. 

James McCalla was a gunsmith. He built and lived in the 
house for many years occupied by the late Pev, John Kerr, 
corner Fifth and Main streets, also by Hon. G. V. Lawrence. 
It is now owned by Wm. Devore. 

J. & P. McGrew were the hatters for nearly a half a century. 
They carried on the business at the corner where the Odd Fel- 
lows building now stands. The firm was dissolved by the 
death of Pobert, the junior partner, somewhere in the latter 
thirties. Their wool hats were famous for wear, much to the 
discomfort of the boys who clamored for a new hat every win- 
ter, which could not be afforded. To satisfy their desires the 
old hat was ironed over by J. & R. McGrew, which for a time 
gave it a very fine glossy appearance. The old wool hat had 
one great advantage in the fact that the boys could not tear it 



Th(' Old and New Mononyahela. 103 

with their teeth, and their only hope was in punching it in 
holes. That ended its use, except as a muzzle to the horse in 
corn plowing time. 

In later years Alex. Wilson was a very active man. He 
settled in this city about 1845, where he gradually extended 
his business until he became the largest dealer in the county in 
wool, grain and produce generally. His store was in the old 
building where now is located Landef eld's new store rooms. 
He removed in 1857 to Heyworth, Illinois, where he died June 
14th, 1862. His remains lay aside of those of his wife, in the 
Monongahela cemetery, where a beautiful monument perpetu- 
ates their memory. 

The first drug store in the town was kept by Dr. George 
Morgan, in the brick house opposite McGregor's block, on 
Main street, in which James Dickey, the cabinet maker, in later 
years, resided. 

Mrs. Jane Biddle, Mrs. John Philips, Mrs. Ellen Bowman, 
Mrs. Nancy Smith, Wm. Coulter, Joseph P. Warne, S. B. 
Bently and Joseph Woodward are the oldest residents of this 
city. 

Asher Yankirk was the chair maker of olden time. His shop 
was located on the Island on the lot on which is the residence 
of Mrs. Walter Applegate. The building was destroyed by fire 
many years ago. After the retirement of Yankirk from the 
business, the shop M^as carried on by Wm. McMahon until his 
removal to the State of Indiana, where he died. 

In (^Iden time when our grandmothers had a grate to set, or 
a chimney to top out, or a bake oven to build, they always sent 
for "Pap,, George Mumbower. 

The town has always been famous for its many skilled car- 
penters. The Butler Brothers, John Eckles, John Watkins, 
Joseph Hamilton, Benjamin Ferguson, Enoch Pierce, John 
Watson and others whose names we can not recall, were 
among the skilled mechanics of early day. In these latter days 
their number is legion. The Coulters, the Blythe boys, the 
Yohe brothers, Joseph Woodward, Jefferson M'Lain and the 



104 Tlw Old avd Nev) Monongahda. 

Stockdale brothers have taken high rank as contractors and 
skilled workmen. 

Thomas Collins was a potter by trade, and with James 
Collins carried on the pottery business in a building that stood 
on Cemetery street, in Catsburg. Thomas Collins was born 
in Uniontown, Fa., December 10th, 1803. He learned his 
trade in Greensboro, Pa. In what year he came to Mononga- 
hela City we are not informed. He taught the first public 
school in this place, which was in the winter of 183-l:-35, and 
in an old house on the Island still standing. Among his 
scholars were John Anawalt and Frank Manown. He was 
superintendent of the first Methodist Sunday School organized 
in the town. He was elected justice of the peace in 1839, be- 
ing one of the first under the Constitution of 1838. He was 
elected and served five terms. He died at his residence on 
AVaverly hill, this city, December 24th, 1873. He was buried 
at Ginger hill. At the time of his death he was a member of 
the Lutheran church. 

Among the first efforts at manufacturing in old times was 
the carding machine and fulling mill. Benjamin Farkison, 
grandfather of A. R. Farkison, had such a mill run by the 
tramp wheel at the mouth of Mingo. Frior to this mill, card- 
ing wool was done by the settlors with a hand card. Common 
material for wearing apparel was made by hand, in the shape 
of woolsey-linsey, a composite of wool and flax. At Dry Run, 
in 1834-37, Matthew Murdy & Co. had a carding machine. 
Samuel Devore, in 1837, had a small carding machine in the 
rear of the old Farkison lot. 

About the year 1834, C. W. & Wm. Bryant erected what 
has long been called the old carriage factory on Main street. 
On its completion in 1834, the firm removed their iron store 
from the shop one door west of the City Hotel, in which Jacob 
Cort immediately commenced to manufacture copper and 
tinware. 

The Bryants were the first in the town to make plows and 
wagons on an extensive scale, and to keep a general assort- 
ment of Iron, especially Juniata iron. 



The Old and New Monongahela. 105 

In 1834 Mrs. S. Guthrie carried on tlie millinery and mantua 
making next door to Joseph Wilson's store on Main street. 
Miss A. FIcmming had a similar shop on Ferry street next 
door to James Mercer's store. Mrs. James Officer also carried 
on the same business on Third street beiow the railroad, and 
continued long after the former had quit the business. The 
cards of Mrs. Guthrie and Miss Flemming both appear in the 
Monongahela Patriot, April 29th, 1831. 

Robert Walker, in the latter forties, had a woolen factory 
on or near the site of Blythe & Co. 's planing mill on Fifth 
street near the river. It was burned in June, 1853. 

William Johnson, at an early date, erected the first saw mill 
in the town. It stood below the site of the same planing mill. 

There was another saw mill as late as 1837 above the same 
planing mill, owned and operated for a time by William Mills. 
It was the first to saw lumber by steam for the boat yard of 
Robert Beebe. Timber for building boats had been before 
this time sawed by hand with the whip saw. 

As William Mills had erected a saw mill for the boat yard, 
so William Ihmsen, Vankirk and McAllister built one at the 
mouth of Pigeon creek, in Catsburg, to furnish boards for 
glass boxes for his two factories. This mill, after the death of 
Ihmsen, passed to other owners and operators. Just before 
the late war Mr. Cunningham built a few steamboat hulls at 
this mill. Mr. James Smith, we believe, was the last owner 
before it was dismantled. 

David Bolton manufactured augers over a half a century ago 
in the old house that was located at the upper end of tlie street 
leadino; from the creek bridi>;e in Catsburg. He moved to the 
vicinity of Ginger Hill, where he died. He was a brother-in- 
law of the late Judge Hill. 

The beginning of the Monongahela Manufacturing Company, 
now located in the Third ward, was started by James W. Dow- 
ner, in 1872. The business was carried on by Downer, Samuel 
Hindman and Col. David Lackey, until 1877, at which time 
Downer and Lackey retired and Major W. H. Morrison was 



lUO The Old and Neio Monongahela. 

taken into the firm and the business was carried on by Hind- 
man and Morrison until 1881, when R. B. Abrams was added 
to the firm, which was changed to Morrison, Abrams & Co. 
In 1883 the company was merged into the Monongahela Manu- 
facturing Company, which still exists. The whole plant was 
burned June, 1890. The present extensive brick plant was 
erected immediately after the fire, excepting the carpenter and 
blacksmith shops, which were erected in 1892. 

The telegraph was established originally to this city by way 
of West Newton, in 1864. O. C. House sent the first message 
over the line to Pittsburgh, by way of West Newton. At Pitts- 
burgh connection was made with the U. S. Telegraph Company. 
The message cost 55 cents for ten words. The Monongahela 
Valley Company was organized in 1864, by J. L. Shaw, and 
under his management as President the line was extended all 
along the valley. This, with the West Newton line, was 
merged into the Pacific and Atlantic, which, in 1877, was sold 
to the Western Union Company. 

The first telegraph operator at this city was McNulty, from 
1864 to 'm\ then North, 1866-'67; then Scott, 1867-^68: 
Adams, 1869; J. A. Wilson, 1869 to January, 1876; A. Park 
Wilson, 1876 till his death in October, 1881; W. H. Lewis, 
1881 to 1887. In October, 1872, the office was moved from 
Wilson's drug store, on Main street, below Second, to the rail- 
road station. In this drug store the office was first opened. 
Since the death of Dr. Wilson, George Oehle has been agent 
and operator, with others under him. Others will give in de- 
tail: — 

The Valley Saw and Planing Mill of Blythe & Co., estab- 
lished in 1850 by Wm. and Joseph Brown; the extensive mills 
of Yohe Brothers; the paper mill established by Samuel D. 
Culbertson in 1850; the City Flouring Mill, erected in 1845, 
by Henry Shearer and John Shepler; The Monongahela City 
Steam Granite and Marble Works, established by R. M. Gee 
in 1852; the steam docks, put in operation by Joseph Tuman, 
Shadrick Heyser, George Grove and Cyrus Lynn; Graham's 



The Old and JVew Mommgahehi. 1(>7 

Foundry, established in 1879 by E. V. Graham, the present 
proprietor ; the gas company ; natural gas company ; telephone ; 
water works and sewerage system; electric light; the public 
schools; churches and academies. 

Philip Catlin was the first barber in the city, as far as we 
can ascertain. In 1834 he had his shop in the barroom of 
Joseph Caldwell's tavern. Among his old successors were 
Wm. Ralph, now a minister, Daniel Baizor and B. W. Adams. 
Then followed Catlin and Strange. At the dissolution of this 
firm, Alfred Catlin took a shop of his own. Alfred was a son 
of Vachel Catlin, of West Newton, and brother of Captain 
Wm. Catlin, of this city. About 1871 Captain Wm. Catlin 
and W. H. Jones formed a partnership, which was dissolved 
in 1873, each one opening a shop. In 1874 Stephen B. Batch 
opened his present shop on Second street. 

About 1870 Baizor took into partnership Joseph A. Jones. 
This firm was dissolved by the death of Baizor, which occurred 
July 30th, 1881. Joseph R. Brooks then formed a firm with 
Joseph A. Jones, under the name of Jones & Brooks. In Janu- 
ary, 1891. Brooks retired from the firm, and Joseph A. Jones 
and W. H. Jones entered into a partnership under the name of 
Jones & Jones, who opened up one of the finest shops in the 
valley, at No. 257 West Main street. Joseph A. Jones died 
December 9th, 1891. The barbers of to-day in the city are S. 
B. Batch, James R. Brooks, Captain Wm. Catlin and W. H. 
Jones. Lizzie, wife of Philip C^atlin, is still living and resides 
in East End, Pittsburgh. 

My friend, Samuel Fox, of Fallowfield, has "indly furnished 
me with an original copy of the articles of association of a 
bank, entitled ''The Monongahela and Williamsport Manufac- 
turing Company,'^ to be established in 1816, as shown by the 
date of the articles. Books of subscription to the stock were 
to be opened November 21st, 1816, in Williamsport, at the 
house of Joseph Parkison; in Elizabethtown, at the house of 
John Walker; also at Ginger hill, Thomas Carson's Columbia, 
Robbstown and Garret Walls'. The only signature to tliis 



108 The Old and New MonongaJiela. 

copy of the articles is that of John Grable, grandfather, we 
presume, of John M. Grable, of this city. 

The proposed capital was |100,000. In order to facilitate 
the organization, a president and twelve directors were self- 
constituted to serve until the regular election. May, 181T. 
These officers were president, James Mitchell; directors, 
Major James Warne, John Cooper, James McGrew, William 
Parkison, W. Y. Biles, James P. Stuart, Joel Butler, Garret 
Wall, Robert McFarland, William Findlay, Aaron Applegate, 
and Major John Grable. What was the final outcome of this 
attempt to form a bank we are not able to gather, but tradition 
makes it a failure. 

In after years, in the early forties perhaps, Major A. L. 
Williams, at the old Manown tavern, issued a currency in the 
form of shin plasters, as they were called, redeemable at his 
bar and at the store of Charles Bollman. This undoubtedly 
was the first and only bank of issue in the town, and it was of 
short life. 

The banking house of Alexander & Co. was the first real 
bank in the city. It was established in 1850, when the mer- 
cantile firm consisted of Joseph and son, W. J. Alexander, 
under the title of J. Alexander & Son, which had existed 
since 1843. The firm in 185U was reorganized with the same 
partners, under the name of Alexander & Co., which still 
exists, although the names of James S. Alexander and Joseph 
A. Herron have been added and Joseph Alexander died June 
20th, 1871. 

The banking business was opened in the rear end of the 
store room which stood on the site of the present McGregor 
block. The building in which the bank is now located, corner 
of Main and Third streets, was erected in 1870. The bank is 
one of the most solid in the state, and its members, by their 
gentlemanly manners, sterling and long tried integrity, have 
won the confidence of the business men in every part of the 
nation. 

The Peoples Bank was established in 1870, with a paid up 



Tlie Old and Ne%o Monongahela. 109 

capital of $100,000. The late A. C. Sampson was its first 
president. Hon. J. B. Finley is the present president. This 
too is a substantial, prosperous institution. Its president is 
one of the most enterprising men of the city, and his life 
seems to be devoted to the advancement of its welfare. The 
new bridge, the telephone, the electric light, water works, the 
gas works and street improvements, all bear the impress of 
his progressive spirit. 

The Pittsburgh Gazette was the first newspaper printed in 
Western Pennsylvania, and in 1786 was delivered to sub- 
scribers along the Monongahela river by one John Blair, 
who advertised in the Gazette August 30th, 1786, that he 
would pass up and down said river, from Pittsburgh to 
Casting's (Castener's) Ferry, with a boat every week, all 
subscribers along the river and neighborhood could have their 
papers brought to them every week at a reasonable rate. It 
was in this paper Parkison advertised his first sale of lots. 

The first paper printed in this town was the W'dliaiiwport 
Clironk'le. A copy dated January 23d, 1813, is still in posses- 
sion of Mrs. Rebecca V. Stewart, of Speareville, Kansas. In 
it we find the following marriage notice : 

"Married. — On Thursday evening, January 20th, by Rev. 
Ralston, Joseph Hamilton, of Ginger Hill, and Miss Peggy 
Ferguson." 

These were the parents of Rev. W. F. Hamilton, D. D., and 
grandparents of Editor Col. Chill Hazzard, of the Monongahela 
Bepahllcan. It also records the marriage of Joseph Caldwell 
and Catherine Swartz, by Rev. Mercer. It makes reference to 
IJavid Hickman as a jolly old fellow who lived an easy life, 
and, amongst other things, pulled teeth for a living, using rude 
pinchers, made by Benjamen Langhead, who, as the paper says, 
kept a Smith shop on Market street, next door to James Free- 
man's shoe shop, where Dr. Roberts formerly lived. David 
Hickman was no doubt the first resident dentist in the town. 

The Village Informant was published first in 1818, by 
Joseph Clingan. We have part of a copy of this paper as 



110 The Old and Nevj Monongahela. 

printed in 1819, but by some means it has been so mutilated as 
to be of little service. It contained the obituary notice of 
grandfather Daniel Yan Yoorhis. 

The next paper in the town was the Pinnsylvairlan^ pub- 
lished by John Bausman, at the northwest corner of Main street, 
if any one can tell where that is. We present to you a copy, 
Vol. 2, No. 71, dated November 21st, 1829. It contains the 
marrriage notice of Wm. Blythe to Miss Mary Marshall, Thurs- 
day, November 19th, 1818. It contains among other adver- 
tisements, that of James Mills, who wants his customers to pay 
so that he could go forward with Elias Watkins in building a 
steam mill for the interest of the community at large. The mill 
was finished and after many years was >sold to a man named 
Coulson, in whose time it was burned. The mill was situated 
on the river bank, opposite mouth of First street. The dwell- 
ing still stands. 

The Pemtsylvaniaii seems to have merged into the WnUani.^- 
port Patriot, the first number of which was issued on the 11th 
day of November, 1833. Its editor was also John Bausman. 
On the 15th day of April, 1834, Bausman sold the Patriot to 
Samuel G. Bailey and John W. Hammond, who changed its 
name to the IfonongaheJa Patriot, a copy of which, No. 49, 
dated April 29th, 1834, I herewith exhibit. This paper was 
sold to A. W. Davidson, who changed its name to the Carroll 
Gazette, a shorttime before, or after the Kitner-Wolfe campaign 
for Governor. 

We recall very well the fact that it printed week after week 
the constitution of 1838, and why it was so often in the paper 
was the wonder of my boyhood. Mr. Davidson's health gave 
way about 1840, and the late K. F. Cooper became acting- 
editor, as well as school teacher during the winter in the brick 
school house near the toll gate on the pike. Many an article 
he wrote for that paper in the school house whilst the scholars 
enjoyed their dinner time. The Gazette ceased in 1840. 

The Weutral Ground, by John McNeal, was first issued in 
1841, and was of short life. 



Tke Old and New Monoiigahela. Ill 

Rev. W. H. H. Barnes, in 1844, started kind of a temper- 
ance paper, which was a failure in every particular. 

The Mononqahda Republican has outlived every other attempt 
to publish a paper in the town. Since its first issue by Solo- 
mon Alter, Esq., July 7th, 1848, it has been the persistent 
advocate of improvement in the valley, and especially in this 
city. It has passed through shade and sunshine until to-day 
it takes rank among the most prominent newspapers in Western 
Pennsylvania. It has been owned and edited by the Hazzards 
since 1855. Col. Chill Hazzard is its present editor and pro- 
prietor. 

The Valley Becord., first published by Wm. M. Boggs, March 
4th, 1876, had for years been a spirited and well gotten up 
paper. After several changes, it has finally been merged into 
the Monongahela JDemocrat published and edited by the Mon- 
ongahela Democrat Publishing Company. The first number, 
dated October 3rd, 1892, is full of spirit and bright hopes of 
the future. Judging from the character and ability of the mana- 
gers, we predict for it a prosperous career. 

This city can boast that many of her citizens from time to 
time have held important positions of trust in the great arena 
of life. Aaron Kerr was elected to the Legislature in 1824- 
25-26-27-28 and in 1840, and was also a member of the 
constitutional convention of 1838. 

Geo. V. Lawrence has been an active politician since 1842. 
He was elected to the Legislature in 1843-46-58-59. In 
1848 he was elected to the State Senate over his opponent, the 
late William Montgomery. He was re-elected to the Senate 
in 1860, of which body he was Speaker in 1863. He was 
again elected to the Senate in 1874-^76-78. In 1864-66-82 
he was elected a member of Congress. In 1872 he was 
elected a delegate at large to the Constitutional convention. 
He has just been elected once more to the Legislature. Thus 
for fifty years he has been identified with national and state 
politics, and it is a happy thought that his course in public life 
has always been devoted to progress and the right. 



112 The Old and Neio Moiiongahela. 

In 1843 the self-educated O. B. M'Fadden, a resident of 
the town, was elected with G. V. Lawrence to the Legislature. 
The question of a new county was the means which elected 
these two gentlemen in the same vicinity and of opposite 
politics. Mr. McFadden was a man of rare natural talent, and 
with an unbounded energy he was enabled to succeed in almost 
every step in life. Deserting his tannery in Beallsville, he 
studied law and was admitted to the Washington bar the same 
year in which he was elected to the Legislature. In 1845 he 
was elected prothonotary as successor to E. L. Blaine, father of 
the distinguished James G. Blaine. At the expiration of his 
term he emigrated to Washington Territory, where, under a 
democratic administration, he was appointed a judge of the 
United States Court, from which position he retired to become 
a delegate to Congress. lie died in that far-off country many 
years ago. His wife was a daughter of the old tavern keeper, 
Joseph Caldwell. 

John Stofer represented Washington county in the Legisla- 
ture in 1842. He was the father of Dr. John H. Storer, Mrs. 
Dr. J. H. Connolly, and Mrs. Sarah, wife of C. C. Johnson, 
a former active business man of the town. Johnson was born 
in New York state. He brought to the town the first one- 
horse buggy, as the Butlers did the first two-horse carriage. 

Jesse Martin, the old postmaster, was elected to the 
Legislature in 1841. 

Jacob Cort was elected a representative in 1847-48. He 
for years carried on the tin and copper business one door west 
of the City Hotel and in the old frame house that stood on 
what is now called Brown's corner. He moved west, where 
he died many years ago. 

J. S. VanVoorhis, your humble historian, represented 
Washington county in 1857. 

J. B. Finley was a member of the house in 1887-89-91. 

T. R. Hazzard was also a member of the late constitutional 
convention. He was a native of New York, immigrated to this 
city about the year 1838, where he resided nearly all the 



Til' Old (i))(1 ISfrir Monoriadhilii . 113 

remainder of his life. He wus }»erliaps the most successful 
academic teacher in the valley. He established the first 
academy in this city, and from it and other similar institutions 
with which he was connected, went forth to fight the battles of 
life, many who have attained high positions in literary and 
professional life. Of such we may mention Chief Justice 
M'Elvain, of Ohio, Dr. James H. Manown, of Kingwood, W. 
Va., Major R. C. Walker, of Montana, Dr. J. C. Cooper, of 
Philadelphia, Rev. William F. Hamilton, D. D., Hon. D. L. 
Letherman, of Washington county. Dr. J. H. Storer, of West 
Yirginia, Dr. Robert Niccolls, of California, J. S., M. F. and 
A, F. Morrison, of this city, Dr. O. J. Forter, of Westmore- 
land county, W. G. Johnson, Esq., of Fittsburgh, Dr. James 
Flemming, of Ohio, A. H. Kerr, of Minnesota, William 
Fuller, the millionaire cattle dealer, of Philadelphia, and others 
of no less note. 

Hazzard in his day did more for the cause of scientific and 
classical education than any other man in the valley. It was 
the work of his life. As an editor, under trying circumstances, 
he succeeded in building up the Monongahela Bepuhllcan to be 
a first-class newspaper, which has for nearly a half century 
been a household god in the families of the valley. He died 
in 1877. He was admitted to the Washington county bar in 
18i0. 

James Gordon became a resident in 1810. He served as 
Justice of the peace for thirty-five years. He was in 181:5 
appointed an associate Judge by Governor Shunk. He was 
elected a member of the Electoral college in 1828, and as such 
voted for General Jackson. In 1813 he was a county commis- 
sioner and in 1857 was a member of the Board of Revenue 
commissioners. 

Samuel Hill was also an associate Judge. 

Thomas H. Baird and lanthus Bentley were elected and 
served with honor as District attorneys of Washington county. 
Bentley moved to Colorado, where he died a few years ago. 

Sheshbazzar Bentley, Jr., father of lanthus, was elected 
commissioner and sheritt' of Washington county. 



114 Thi Old and Neio Monongahela. ' 

Cyrus Underwood and Alvin King were elected Recorder, 
and R. F. Cooper Clerk of Courts. 

Hon. James Scott was another Monongahela boy of distinc- 
tion. Although never a resident, yet was for years a fixture 
in this city. He was born in Mingo, April 15th, 1815. He 
received his literary education in the common schools and in 
the Rev. Marshall's Academy and in Washington College. He 
studied medicine with Dr. R. F. Biddle, in the old office which 
stood on corner of Main street and Church alley, where 
now George A. Hoffman has his hardware store. He graduated 
at the Cincinnati Medical College. In 1841 he practiced a 
short time in Greenfield, now Coal Centre, Washington county, 
Pa. He subsequently removed to Lebanon, Ohio, where he 
resided the remainder of his days. In course of time he 
abandoned the medical profession and adopted that of law. 
He became prominent in politics and served in the Legislature 
of Ohio for near twenty years. During Grant's administra- 
tion he was appointed Secretary of the Territory of Washing- 
ton, and on the death of the incumbent was confirmed as 
Governor. He was also U. S. Consul to the Sandwich Islands. 
His rare talent carried with it an ambition that knew nothing 
but to succeed. He died December 16th, 1888, at his home 
in Lebanon, Ohio. 

Among the medical men in the nation is Dr. W. A. Ham- 
mond, once a boy in this city. He was 1)orn at Annapolis, 
Md., August 28th, 1828, and at the age of four years immi- 
grated to this city with his father. Dr. J. W. Hammond. He, 
with James S. Alexander and others, played many a game of 
''Knucks" in the old market house. He was Surgeon general 
at the beginning of the late rebellion and is now on the retired 
list. He is still hale and hearty. 

In ministers of the gospel, this city has sent forth such men 
as Samuel Hair, Thomas P. Gordon, G. M. Hair, Joseph 
Kerr, A. H. Kerr, John Goucher, W. F. Hamilton, Thomas 
Hodgeson, James P, Fulton, Robert H. Fulton, John 
McFarland, O. M. Todd. 



The Old and Neui Mouongahela. 115 

Joseph P. Wariie, William Coulter, S. B. Bentley and Mrs. 
Jane Biddle have always had a continuous residence within 
the limits of this city, and are perhaps more conversant with 
its early history than any other persons. 

Coulter was born in the old house on the corner of Main and 
Second streets, Catsburg, in 1817. We have traced his career 
on another occasion. 

S. B. Bentley was born in 1826, in the house known in later 
days as the old M. E. Church, on the bank of the river. 
S. B. Bentley has all his life been identified with the interests 
of his native Monongahela City. His recollections of the past 
are very vivid; he can recall readily the names and doings of 
all the active business men of his day. He has been from his 
youth a member of the Methodist E. Church, and to his per- 
sistent and prayerful efforts is indebted much of the standing 
of that useful and influential branch of the church in this city. 

Prior to 1840 we had no certain means to ascertain certainly 
the population of this city. From that date we count on its 
separate population, although the increase must be attributed, 
to a certain degree, to the extension of its boundaries. 

The populatiou was in 1832 600 

1840 752 

1850 977 

" •' 1860 999 

•' " 1870 1,078 

1880 2,904 

1890 4,065 

We are indebted to the Monongahela Democrat, in its first 
issue, for the following summary of the present business status 
of the city: 

It has 2 railroads — the Pennsylvania and Lake Erie systems, 
H» churches, elegant school buildings, 16 schools — 9 months in 
the year and 1,0()() scholars, 1 roller flour mill, 3 livery sta])les, 
2 hotels, 2 sale stables, 2 machine shops, 2 founderies, 1 paper 
mill, 2 planing mills, 3 lumber yards, 2 docks, 1 river toll 
bridge, 1 fire engine, 1 hose company, 1 hook and ladder com- 
pany, 1 city hall, 1 city jail, 3 insurance agencies, 2 banks 1 



11(> Th( Old and New Monontjiihela. 

local building and loan association, 4 national building and 
loan associations, 2 coal works in city limits and dozens 
near by, 2 brick works, 1 water works, 1 electric light 
plant, natural gas, artificial gas, city sewerage and paved 
streets (vitrified brick) in course of construction, 1 window 
glass factory, 1 electric experiment station, 1 haulage engine 
factory, 1 carborundum works, 1 manilla paper factory, pick 
handle factory, 1 lampwick factory, 1 miner's lamp factory, 1 
pitcar factory, 1 real estate oflice, 1 opera house, 3 newspapers, 
2 dailies, 2 weeklies, 1 monthly, 3 photograph galleries. It 
has 5 lawyers. 9 physicians, i dentists, 3 journalists, 4 nota- 
ries public 9 bankers, 3 insurance agents, 8 ministers." 

Such the past and such the present of your prosperous and 
rapidly growing city. What the future shall be depends upon 
your continued energy, determination and public spirit, and 
that of the generations to come. The forefathers in looking 
into the future failed to anticipate such results in 100 years as 
confront the present inhabitants of this city. 

It takes no flight of fancy or prophetic genius to foreshadow 
its outcome in another 100 years. You have the elements to 
make it a metropolitan city, and it requires no stretched imagi- 
nation to assert that within that period 50,000 people will be 
imbraced within its limits, doing honor to the memory of the 
man who dared in the wilderness to lay the foundation of such 
a city — and that man's name was PARKISON. 

West Monongahela. 

This town is situated immediately below and adjoining Mon- 
ongahela City. It was located and laid out into lots, suitable 
avenues and streets by H. Higenbotham in 1893. It is on the 
south side of the Monongahela river and has a long river front 
of deep water. It is on the Pittsburgh, Virginia & Charleston 
railroad, with a good prospect of being on a branch of the 
Baltimore & Ohio railroad. A company is already organized 
to construct an electric road passing through the town, and the 
facilities of natural gas, electric light and water works are 
within reach at any time. 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. ilT 

The town is situated on a beautiful plateau, capable of easy 
drainage and free from all marsh. For manufacturing 
purposes there are no better sites in the valley. Already 
the Thomas Wightman Glass Co. has located its extensive 
works in the town and are rapidly completing a plant which 
will employ 300 hands. Other capitalists are about erecting 
plants of various kinds. The proprietor has a coal frontage of 
15,000 acres, an amount sufficient to furnish fuel for ages to 
come. 

Mr. H. Higenbotham is a man of indomitable energy and 
business force, having started in the battle of life on his own 
resources at the age of eleven years. He was born in Mason- 
town, Fayette county, Pa. He is the son of Theodore Higen- 
botham, who was the son of Samuel Higenbotham, an early 
settler in that country. Mr. H. Higenbotham has an abiding 
faith in the future greatness of the Monongahela valley. His 
new enterprise is already a success and foreshadows a near 
future when this town will be dotted over with manufactories 
of every variety, adding untold wealth to the capitalist and 
constant employment to skill and labor. 

Monongahela Only. 

In postoffice circles there will be no Monongahela City after 
April 1st, 1893, but thereafter when writing to Col. Hazzard's 
town the place should be designated as plain Monongahela. 
The folh)wing from the MoiunKjahela Republican explains itself: 



PosTOFKicE Department, ) 
Washington, D. C, Feb. 13th, 1893. \ 

Yon are respectfully informed that an order luis been made 
changing the name of Monongahela City to Monongahela, to 
take ett'ect April 1st, 181)3. 

E. E. Kathbokne, 

Fourth Assistant P. M. General. 

10 



118 TJk' Old <ind Neir Mononijalu'la . 

The Monongahfjla City Methodist J^piscopal Church. 

The early history of this church is not very satisfactory, 
owing to the absence of records. In 1812 two local preachers, 
brothers, named Riggs, organized a class at the house of 
Samuel Baxter, who then lived on the farm lately owned by 
Ira Butler, Esq., but now by Hiram Rabe, in Horseshoe, as a 
certain part of Carroll township is called. The class was com- 
posed of the two Riggs, Samuel Baxter and wife, and some of 
their children, and John R. Shugart and wife. A short time 
prior to the organization of this class another was formed at 
Father Preston's, and the two in due time became appoint- 
ments under the title of the Beallsville circuit. It was in 1813, 
however, that the first class was formed in the town, the 
records of which are lost. 

Among the members of this class were John R. Shugart 
and wife, who left the other class for convenience sake. Mrs. 
Shugart was a daughter of Samuel Baxter, above named. She 
died, as well as her husband, many years ago, and are yet 
remembered as pillars in the church. Mr. Shugart for long 
years carried on the saddle and harness business on the corner 
of Main and Third streets, now occupied by the large brick 
building belonging to J. B. Boyer heirs. He was a good 
workman, a good citizen and a good christian. Polly Baxter, 
a sister of Mrs. Shugart, was another member of this town class. 
Mrs. Yandever, at whose house the class held its first meeting, 
with her two daughters, belonged to the same class. Mrs. 
Vandever lived in a house owuied by William Wickerham, corner 
of Race, now Third street, and Cherry alley. One of her 
daughters married Peter Shouse, the well-known boat builder 
of early days; his wife went with him to the Presbyterian 
church. The other daughter nuirried Robert Bebee, also a 
boat builder. Mrs. Elizabeth McNary was also a member of 
this class. She was a sister of the late William P. Biles, who 
in his later days was kind of a lawyer. He lived in an old 
liouse on Main street, near the present residence of Dr. C. B. 



The Old and New Mononijahela. 119 

Wood. A short time after the class was formed ^neas 
Graham and wife joined it. She was the daughter of Daniel 
DePue, Esq., who was commissioned Justice of the Peace 
March 12, 1793, by Governor Thomas Mifflin. His pecidiar 
signatm-e is attached to many of the old acknowledgments 
of deeds. In a short time after the class had got under fair 
headway Robert Bebee joined it. 

This class really was the successor of the Riggs' class, and 
botli were properly merged into one. The class was led by 
the preacher who held his first services in the house of Mrs. 
Yandever, where the class held its meetings. The leading of 
the class by the preacher was soon abandoned, and ^neas 
Graham was elected leader and to have the spiritual care of 
the little flock, from which nucleus has grown the present 
large and influential congregation. 

If the spirits of the saved are permitted to hover around the 
living, then is his spirit near that church where the outcropp- 
ings of his early training are visibly seen in the multitude who 
have come into the fold of Christ through the means of this 
church. 

The rapid increase of the class under the leadership of Mr. 
Graham soon required larger accommodations. Robert Bebee 
gave it a room in his dwelling, then on the bank of the river, 
afterward owned by Jonathan Pierce, known as the Wilson 
row, in honor of Alexander Wilson, who formerly was a prom-' 
inent merchant in town, living in the house on Main street 
now occupied as storerooms and owned by Mark Borland and 
Land of eld. This room was also the place of preaching. It 
was, however, soon too small, and the class and preaching was 
removed to the old log school house where the Presbyterians 
also had their preaching, on which afterwards a public school 
house of three rooms was erected, the school house still re- 
maining and used as a dwelling house. The old log school 
house becoming unfit to occupy, the roof leaking and windows 
broken, the place of preaching was removed to an old house 
once used as a barracks for ti-oops on Main street, on a lot 



i'2{) The Old and JVew Monongahela . 

now owned by Daniel Swickard. Besides this place, the class 
and preaching were very often held in private houses in the 
neighborhood. William Jones, of whom we have written in 
another place, was a member of this class. The next place of 
preaching was in the brick church on the hill, which was built 
on a general subscription, the Presbyterians having an exclu- 
sive right to occupy it every third Sabbath, the balance of the 
time it could be used by any evangelical denomination. 

The Methodist E. Church rapidly increased its membership 
by conversions and otherwise, especially by members moving 
into town from other places, among whom were Rev. John 
White, father of Judge J. W. F. White, of Pittsburgh, and 
Wm. Ihmsen, with Andrew, James and Wm. Mills. In 1827 
the congregation purehased the house which, in a remodeled 
style, for many years stood just below the Second street wharf, 
on the bank of the river, but now torn down. The house 
originally had a brick first story. This was taken down and a 
gallery and wings were added to the old building. Soon after 
taking possession of this church, the Sabbath school was first 
organized, the late Thomas Collins being chosen superintend- 
ent. The matter of having a church of their own seemed to 
infuse new life into the congregation, so that in the year 1833 
it had grown into such a position that they asked the confer- 
ence to send them a station preacher, which was responded to 
by sending them Rev. Charles Cooke. At the second Quar- 
terly Conference, held in December, 1833, it was resolved to 
make an effort to build a new church, and a committee was 
appointed, which afterwards constituted a Board of Trustees, 
to see what could be done in the way of raising money and 
selling the old church. This committee consisted of Joseph 
Alexander, Wm. Ihmsen and Wm. Mills. The next Quar- 
terly Conference met March 18, 1831, and was composed of 
Charles Elliot, Presiding Elder; Rev, Charles Cooke, preacher 
in charge; Dr. David Johnson, local preacher; Wm. Mills and 
David Sherbondy, Stewards; Trail. Butler, Cyrus Black, Wm. 
Ihmsen, Joseph Warne, yEneas Gi'aham, Asher A^ankirk and 



The Old and New Memoiujaliela. 121 

John Hull, leaders. At this meeting the trustees, the number 
of which had been increased by the addition of Wm. Ihmsen, 
John R. Shugart and A. L. Williams, reported that they had 
raised by subscription eleven hundred dollars; that Wm. Ihmsen 
had donated a lot on the corner of Race, now Third street, and 
Spring alley, 50 by 80 feet, and that they had sold the old 
church for 125,000 brick, to be delivered at four dollars per 
thousand. The report was received and the Trustees were 
ordered to contract for the building of a brick house 44 by 62 
feet with a gallery. They contracted with Samuel Devore to 
build it so far as to enclose in and lay the floors for §1,600. 
We are not informed who laid the brick, but Charles Reding 
did the carpenter work. The job was a good one, and at the 
day of its removal there was not a crack in it. During its exist- 
ence a storm blew in the western gable end, but that was not 
the fault of the work. Whilst fixing in place the upper joists 
the late Andrew Clark was injured by falling through two tier 
of joist to the ground. His injuries were so severe as to ever 
afterwards prevent him from walking. He lived on the pike 
above Ginger Hill, was Postmaster for a while and Justice of 
Peace for many years, and was always considered a man of 
sterling integrity. The l)uilding committee of this church have 
all passed aw^ay. Wm. Ihmsen, so long identified with the 
business of the town, died long ago, leaving Joseph Wilson one 
of his executors. Wm. Mills married Lucinda Speer, of Belle- 
vernon, Pa. He carried on the mercantile business for some 
years in the firm of Mills & Storer, in the old storeroom above 
the present residence of Dr. George A. Linn, on Main street, 
and in otlier places in town, either alone or in company. He 
was quite a politician, taking an active part in the campaign of 
1840; was a candidate for the Legislature, but sufi'ered defeat. 
Lie moved to Washington where he was a member of the firm 
of Mills & Baily; was also in business alone on the corner of 
Main and Wheeling streets; studied law and was admitted to 
the Washington bar in August, 1855; moved shortly after this 
date to Davenport, Iowa, where he remained until his death. 



122 Tlw Old and JS/'eto MononyaJula. 

Among the active leaders wlio took part in the building of this 
chnrch none were more interested than ^neas Graham. He 
died May 7, 1848, and his remains were interred in the old 
graveyard. He was one of the good of earth. He was long 
one of the pillows in the church, and was looked upon by saint 
and sinner as a model Christian gentleman. Small in stature, 
neat in attire, erect in his gate, pleasant in manner, intelligent 
in mind, kind in his domestic circle and honest in his dealings 
among men. He was a tailor by trade. He built the brick 
house now owned by Mrs. Phillips, corner of Main and Third 
streets, and in it for many years carried on the merchant tailor- 
ing business. His daughter Sarah was the first wife of S. B. 
Bentley, who survives her. Another daughter married the late 
Joel Ferree; both are dead. Ashur Yankirk was another 
leader of that day. His wife was a daughter of James Man- 
own. He carried on the chairmaking business at that time 
on the "Island," as it was called. He died in McKeesport 
not many years since. 

In order to complete the history of the Methodist E. Church 
we take the liberty of inserting, entire, the proceeding had on 
the Semi-Centennial celebration, as published in the Mononga- 
hfla RepnlAlvan^ September 24, 25, 1883. 

Making History. 

That was a happy inspiration of Father Underwood, that 
this being the" 50th year of the establishment of this church as 
a station it were well to celebrate the event. Pastor Nesbitt 
arranged a program, and yesterday both morning and evening 
services were devoted to historical papers and memorial 
addresses. A neatly printed programme was served bearing 
some of the old hymns, which during the services the choir 
sang to old-time melodies. The first paper was read by Mrs. 
Vandella Fell Wickerham upon 

Places of Worship. 

The beginning of Methodism at Parkisons Ferry, after- 
wards Williamsport, now Monongahela City, were humble 



Mi 



The Old and New Monongahela. 128 

but full of promise. For thirteen years after its origin it had 
no place of worship it could call its own, but tabernacled in 
private dwellings or in rented buildings. It is interesting to 
note the places where its meetings were held. 

1st. In 1813 Mrs. Vandever, living on the corner of Race 
street and Cherry alley, opened her house for class meetings 
and preaching. 

2d. After about three years the meetings were transferred 
to an upper room in the home of Robert Bebee on the river 
bank. They continued there until they out-grew the 

capacity of the room. 

3d. Then a log house on Main street that had been used as 
a barracks for troops was rented and used as a house 
of worship. 

•Ith. From this the society transferred its meetings to the 
old "log school house" that long stood on spring alley. 

5th. The fifth place used for holding its meetings was the 
old union church on the hill. An incident that occurred there 
aroused in the members an ambition to have a house of their 
own. 

6th. As the result, in 1826, a private dwelling standing on 
the bank of the river, was purchased, remodeled and fitted up 
as a place of worship. This was occupied for nine years, and 
then the growth of the society required a more commodious 
building. 

7th. In 1834 a new church was commenced on the corner 
of Race and Chess streets, on a lot donated to the society by 
Wm. Ihmsen. That building was completed in the spring of 
1835, and dedicated in May of that year by the pastor. Rev. 
Charles Cooke. ["or thirty-two years worship was conducted 
there. 

8th. The present building is the third house of worship 
owned by the society, and the eighth place where it has held 
regular meetings. The initial steps towards securing this site 
and putting up this building weretaken in 1864, when Rev. 
Ezra Hingely was pastor. The building committee appointed 



124 The Old and New Monongahcla. 

by the Quarterly conference was composed of O. C. House, 
E,. M. Clark, Daniel Pierce, Alexander Scott, E. L. King, 
R. Stockdale, Joseph Alexander, James Williams, John Bljtlie, 
Cyrus Underwood, Robert Coulter, Joel T. Ferree, Isaac Jones, 
Col. Joseph Taylor, C. R. Stuckslager and S. P. Keller. The 
present site was purchased from Messrs. John and Henry 
Shsefer. In 1867 the lecture room was finished, opened, dedi- 
cated and used, and in 1878 the main audience room. Rev. 
Dr. W. A. Davidson officiated in the dedication of the lecture 
room and the pastor and Rev. A. B. Leonard in that of the 
main audience room. The building and lot cost about $45,000. 
It is now about seventy years since Methodism was planted in 
this place, and this fine building is a monument both of its 
spirit and its activity. 

Mr. Cyrus Underwood then spoke of the fragmentery chara- 
ter of the records; the almost successful efforts now to put 
tradition on record, connected by the best data obtainable; of 
such character were the chapters in Dr. Creigh's history, in 
Boyd Cunningham's later history and in Doctor Van Voorhis' 
historical sketches, published in the RepnhJ'iean. He said: I 
came first here from Brownsville, in December, 1831, and in 
1834 moved here permanently, during Rev. Cooke's pastorate; 
was a class leader from 1834 to 1854. He referred to a dis- 
puted point on the membership of the first class, but thought 
the matter tolerably certain now. When Brant built his grist 
mill to meet the growing wants of the town he employed two 
brothers named Riggs, millwrights, they being local preachers, 
organized that first class. They boarded at Baxter's, on the 
present farm of Ira Butler. This was then in the Baltimore 
Conference, and in the Blairsville circuit. He spoke of the 
early church movements at Parkison's Ferry; said that when 
Judge Gordon first came here, he was the only church member 
in the place. He related the incident which lead the Metho- 
dists to rent a room for their own use. When the church on 
the hill was built by general subscription, it was provided that 
the Presbyterians were to occupy it every third Sabbath, and 



1 



The Old and Ncm Monongahela. 125 

on other Sabbaths the pulpit could be occupied by any regu- 
larh' ordained evangelical preacher. One day Mr. White an- 
nounced that "Lorenzo Dow would preach next Thursday 
evening."' Dr. Ralston said "No.'' "Why not," asked 
Wliite. "Because he is not a regularly ordained minister," 
answered the Doctor. However, it was insisted that he was, 
and on Thursday, Dow, with a large crowd, assembled, but no 
fire, no light, the doors closed. The evening was bitter cold, 
and by the time the door was opened, fire and light 
procured, the shivering Methodists had fully made up their 
minds to have a house of their own. Mr. Underwood joined 
Ira Butler's class, and he wound up his very interesting sketch 
by reviewing the past, and concluded by saying, "As I look 
over these past years, so full of precious memories, so filled 
with mercies and blessings, and know that I am still with you 
to see the infant church grown to vigorous manhood, firmly 
planted in the hearts of this people, I can only lift my heart 
in prayer and thankfulness, and say, "How good the Lord 
hath been." 

Miss Carrie E. Coulter then read a paper entitled. 

Ministers Who Have Served. 

The beginning of Methodism at Parkison's Ferry has already 
been traced to the two brothers Riggs, local preachers, who 
took up the appointment and visited it for an indefinite period 
every three weeks. From, their time until 1833, a period of 
twenty years, the appointment formed a part of the Beallsville 
circuit, and was served by such well known men as Revs. Thos. 
M. Hudson, Joshua Monroe, James G. Sansoin, William Ste- 
\'ens and Samuel P. Brockunier. In 1833, Williamsport, then 
the name of the place, was erected into a station, and Rev. 
Chas. Cooke was sent by the Pittsburgh Conference as the first 
stationed preacher. His successors in the pastorate down to 
the ])resent time are as follows : Matthew Simpson, Christopher 
Hodgson, William Hunter, Alcinus Young, Nathaniel Callen- 
dar, Wm. Lemon, Ebenezer Hays, E. P. Jacob, L. H. Costin, 



126 The Old and New Monmigahela. 

Charles Thorn, Wesley Smith, Caleb Foster, Geo. S. Holmes, 
Josiah Mansell, Peter F. Jones, A. G. Williams, S. F. Minor, 
L. R. Beaeom, J. C. Brown, A. J. Endsley, Ezra Hingely, A. 
W. Butts, H. Miller, S. M. Sickman, Ed. Williams, T. N. 
Boyle, W. Lynch, R. L. Miller, J. S. Bracken, I. A. Pearce 
and S. H. Nesbit. This makes thirty-two in all who have 
served the appointment in its fifty years as a station. The 
ministers who served the appointment before it became a station 
have all passed on to their reward. Twelve of the thirty-two 
who have served it as a station have also ended their labors and 
entered into rest. These are Clias. Cooke, Christopher Hodg- 
son, William Hunter, Alcinus Young, Nathaniel Callender. 
Wm. Lemon, Ebenezer Hays, L. H. Costin, Charles Thorn, 
Caleb Foster, Geo. S. Holmes and Peter F. Jones (who died 
while pastor here, and Rev. Cyrus Black filled out his time). 
Whether E. P. Jacobs and A. C. Williams be living or dead 
is not now known. But the remaining eighteen are still living 
and, with one exception, in the active work of the ministry. 
This paper would be incomplete if it should end without a per- 
sonal notice of some of the eminent men who first served the 
appointment as a station. Charles Cooke, tender, loving and 
beloved, transferred to the Philadelphia Conference, served 
several of the best churches in Philadelphia, and at last ended 
his days and labors in that city. Matthew Simpson is now 
Senior Bishop of the Methodist E. Church, a place of loftier 
eminence than any earthly throne. 

Christopher Hodgson, earnest and convincing in argument, 
married a daughter of the early society, and his descendant, 
Rev. Thomas S. Hodgson, is perpetuating his name and his 
ability in the ministry, and William Hunter, eminent as a 
theologian, as editor, as educator, is still more eminent as poet. 
His hymns and songs are a rich legacy to the church. Time 
will not permit to further name and characterize the ministers 
that have served this charge. It must suffice to say that they 
did their work well, and made for us to-day a rich and beauti- 
ful heritage. Of the fathers we may all be proud. May their 



The Old and New Monotgahela. 127 

sons in the gospel do as well in their day. Mr. Joseph Warne 
was prevented by sickness from being present and R. M. Clark 
made the concluding address. Mr. Clark said that John Wesley 
once said that we must not do our duty just when we feel like 
it. We must do our duty when the occasion comes. He did 
not feel like speaking, but Dr. Nesbitt had put him on the 
program and made it his duty to say something. An old 
Quaker had once told him " Robert, when thee has nothing to 
say, say it." He had a few words to say, and looking back 
forty years so many blessings crowded to his memory that he 
must speak a word for the Master. He thought the class 
meeting a peculiar means of grace ; he enjoyed them. His 
disposition was to look on the sunny side of life, and in the 
class he never told a doleful story ; if he had nothing cheerful 
to say he said nothing. He believed in saying encouraging 
things, and this morning was full of promise and bright with 
hope. He was born in Lycoming county, of Presbyterian 
parentage ; he had learned the teachings of that church, and 
its traditions too ; he had been led to look upon the Methodists 
as "bad people"" in a certain sense, and went from home with 
that idea. He boarded at Williamsport with a good Methodist 
family, and found out that they were real Christians. One 
evening he happened to pass a room where class meeting was 
being held. At that time a "word"" or ticket from the class 
leader was required and the door-keeper refused me admit- 
tance. A good lady just inside the door said " Will you pray 
if you come in T' I told her I did not know much about that 
kind of business, but I would behave myself anyhow. I went 
in and heard a brother tell what the Lord had done for him ; 
and a good woman came and laid her hand on my head, and 
said in her sweet persuasive voice "Don't you want to be a 
Christian?'' I thank God to-day for the warm heart and 
sweet voice of that good woman. And that is why I love the 
class meeting. Some people say Methodism is not what it was 
fifty years ago. I think it is broader, deeper, wider than ever 
before. Mr. Clark concluded his very interesting talk by ex- 



1:28 The Old and New Monongahela. 

pressing a fervent wish that he woukl live his life out and die 
here among the people he loved. The services were of ex- 
ceeding interest throughout. 

A still larger audience assembled for the evening services. 
Rev. Dr. Nesbitt, after the singing, asked Miss Millie G. 
Bentley to read a paper, which she did as follows, entitled 

Official Members. 

The earliest Methodists in this place held their meetings in 
private houses or in rented buildings. This continued for thir- 
teen years, or from the origin of the movement, in 1813, to the 
year 1826. In the beginning of that period, ^neas Graham, 
as already seen, was class leader, and John P. Shugart class 
steward. At the end of that period, as nearly as can be ascer- 
tained, there were three classes, led respectively by ^neas 
Graham, Asher Yankirk and James Mills. In 1826 William 
Jones, ^neas Graham and Robert Beebe, appointed a com- 
mittee by the Quarterly Conference of the Beallsville Circuit, 
for the purchase of a three-story building standing on the river 
bank, and had it remodeled and made into a two-story church. 
It seems fairly certain that during the nine years of worship 
David Sherbondy was added to the list of class leaders, making 
in all probability a fourth class. It is impossible at this day to 
tell who were stCM'ards during the period when the appointment 
remained a part of Beallsville circuit. Some of the Trustees 
holding the property on the river bank were Wm. Jones, ^neas 
Graham, Robert Beebe, Asher Vankirk, Joseph Alexander and 
William and John Herron. James Mills was a local preacher. 
Tlie removal of the society from the church on the river bank 
to the new church on the corner of Race and Chess streets took 
place in May, 1835. The Trustees that then existed and that 
have since been elected, are as follows: -dilneas Graham, A. 
Yankirk, J. Alexander, James Mills, Cyrus Underwood, John 
Herron, James Williams, David Williams, H. M. Bentley, 
Charles Rose, James Officer, Wm. Cott, R. M. Clark, Robert 
Coulter, Hiram Filson, J. F. Ferree, O. C. House, James 



TJo' Old and jS^tiii Mviioiiyahehi. 129 

Allen, K. V. Cooper, Abram Van Voorliis, S. F. Keller, Da-niel 
Fierce, C. E. Stuckslagqi', Isaac Jones, William Coulter, Joseph 
Warne, John Bljthe, Geo. T. Scott, M. Borland, J. D. Ham- 
mond, R. E. Byers and E. Downer. Of these thirty-four that 
held office during the half century just passed, seventeen have 
passed to their reward and seventeen are still on these mortal 
shores. 

It has been found impossible, because of defective records, 
to give the names of local preachers, the exhorters, the stewards 
and the class leaders, that have served the society in the past 
fifty years. Revs. James Mills and John White, father of 
Judge White of Allegheny county, stand on the fragmentary 
records as class leaders at different times. They were located 
here and in business. In 1834 the class leaders were Ira But- 
ler, Wm. Ilimsen, Asher Yankirk, David Sherbondy and 
Joseph Warne. Rev. Charles Cooke also had charge of two 
classes, making a total number of seven classes at that time. 

It is a question of serious and practical import — have we 
been wise in allowing the class meetings to fall into a state of 
("omparative decay i We have but three classes to-day. Ought 
we not to have ten ':' And if ten, and well attended, would 
there not come upon im a neic aggressive life and force ? 

A. Y . Graham said the services had revived memories of his 
childhood. He knew most of the men named, and was proud 
that his own family name had borne such a part among those 
who had helped to lay the cornerstone and worked all these 
years at the edifice. He referred especially to the Sunday 
school, and said he could say he had spent his life in the Sun- 
day school. It had kept pace with the sentiment of the day 
and had grown to be a part of the church, nursery, a recruiting 
station. He remembered when one person filled the offices of 
superintendent, secretary, treasurer, librarian, and taught a 
class besides. Now we have four librarians. He remembered 
l)ack to Hunter, third in the list of preachers; remembered 
Holmes, who interested tlie young folks of the town, lectured 
to them during the week on scientific and literary subjects. He 



130 T}h< Old dial JYeir MoiiongoJichi. 

bad peculiarities. One warm day, when some of the members 
dozed, he sat down, and said he would give the sleepers a 
chance to have their nap out. He was annoyed by members 
putting their hats on within the church, after the benediction, 
and broke it up by saying that he would '^name out '' those 
who did it again. Mr. Graham concluded by an apostrophe to 
the fathers, and asked that the seed they planted should be 
assiduously cultivated by those into whose keeping the garden 
of the Lord had been bequeathed — a priceless legacy. 

His reminiscence of Holmes recalled to Dr. Nesbitt an inci- 
dent at Morgantown where Holmes was sent by the old mid- 
summer conference. He found that the leading men, like Sena- 
tor Willie, Dr. McLean the vermifuge man, and others, 
regularly went to sleep during service. They were not only 
pillars of the church but sleepers, too. One day when the nap 
was on, he quietly said to the congregation, ''I will take a mo- 
ment's rest; please sing Days of Absence, and remain seated 
while you sing." It was the custom to ''rise and sing,'' but 
the congregation joined in, remaining seated. Awakened by 
the singing, the sleepers suddenly rose up, thinking it the con- 
cluding hymn. They looked sort of sheep like, seeing no one 
else up. and presently sank into their seats abashed. That cured 
the nap business. Prof. J. P. Taylor, who has been seven 
years Superintendent of the Sabbath school, read a statistical 
paper full of facts of much interest. We have room for a few 
of them. 

The Sunday School. 

The school was organized and Thomas Collins, Esq., 
deceased, its first superintendent, served from 1827 to 1833, 
then Abraham Hull in 1833. David Sherbundy in 183-1, 
William Mills in 1836, William Herron in 1838, John Herron 
in 1840, Joel T. Ferree in 1843, Cyrus Underwood in 1844, 
Rol)ert McLardy in 1845-47, brother-in-law of Raphael 
Coulter; William Cott in 1848, Cyrus Underwood in 1854-57, 
P. M. Clark in 1852, Cyrus Black in 1855-56, Joel T. Ferree 
in 1857-58, S. B. Bentloy in 1859-60, O. C. House in 1861, 



The Old and Netn Monongahela. 131 

S. B. Beiitley and F. F. Kernan in 1862, F. F. Kernan in 
1863, O. C. House in 1864, Dr. E. L. King in 1865, F. F. 
Kernan in 1866, Dr. J. W. L. Rabe in 1867, S. B. Bentley 
in 1868, R. H. Young in 1870-71, J. D. Hammond in 1872, 
R. H. Young in 1873, S. B. Bentlej in 1874, R. H. Young 
in 1875-76, J. P. Taylor in 1877-83. Owing to the records 
of the Sabbath school prior to the year 1862 being lost, we can 
give no positive history of the number of officers, teachers or 
scholars of the school. The first we get is April 13, 1862, 
when the attendance was 208; at that time there were 9 officers, 
27 teachers, and a total membership of 312. 

June 15th of this year Emma Norfolk, Mary Gibbs. Josephine 
Shepler, Anna Young, Emma Clark, Amanda Filson, Fanny 
Cott, Emory Graham, Eva Graham, Mattie Heyser and Ella 
Heyser were presented with a music book for committing the 
Lord's prayer. The whole number of books in the library at 
this time was 883; 60 of these books were spelling books. The 
average attendance, 155 during the quarter ending July 1st. 
September 21st S. B. Bentley resigned and entered the army, 
joining the 140tli regiment. Teachers John Blythe, O. C. 
House, S. Applegate, J. C. Brown, M. W. Mitchener and F. 
F. Kernan entered the military service of the state guards, but 
were all home in two weeks and at work. Perhaps they were 
back in one week but were too tired to be at Sabbath school. 

January 12, 1868, the Sabbath school met for the first time 
in the present building, S. B. Bentley, superintendent; the 
infant department in the hands of sister Mary Scott. Up to 
this time, while there has been an increase in membership, the 
daily attendance scarcely ever exceeds 200, ranging from 125 
to 185. The collections heretofore less than one dollar are 
about four dollars. March 1st, 1868, the Sabbath school room 
was dedicated, sermon by Rev. W. A. Davidson. April 25th, 
1868, Mary Scott resigned as teacher of the infant department, 
numbering about 55, and Miss Nan Scott was installed in her 
stead. 

August, 1S7<>, sometime during the month, D. V,. Valentine 



132 Thv Old t(nd Ne'iii J/o/ionyd/irla. 

died, date not given; he presents as good if not the best daily 
minutes of the Sabbath school found in any of the books. 
During the year one grand revolution and advance was made 
in the Sabbath school work — the bureau system was invented. 
February 5th, 1871, 275 volumes of books were donated to 
Dry Run and Leechburg schools; 1872, the daily attendance 
now runs from 165 to 250; 1873, international lesson leaf: 
January 2d, 1876, the school reached its highest attendance, 
315. The speaker referred in passing to faithful teachers, to 
the triumphant deaths of those who had gone before, and 
closed with an earnest appeal for more workers and more 
earnestness in the work. 

Miss Sallie Graham then read a paper, entitled, the Society 
and its growth. 

Two brothers by the name of Riggs began preaching and 
organized a class about 1812 at the home of Samuel Baxter, in 
Carroll township, on the farm now owned by Ira Butler. 
About those two brothers but little has been preserved, except 
that they were batchelors, followed the occupation of mill- 
wrights, and lived up and across the river, most likely in the 
neighborhood of FelTs church. Though their memories are 
not perpetuated in monumental marble, they gave birth to in- 
fluences that will be imperishable. So far as can now be ascer- , 
tained they were the first Methodist preachers that ever 
preached in this neighborhood. Their visits to Parkison's Ferry 
began in 1813. They preached every third Sabbath, organized 
a class and led it on each of their visits. The first members of 
that class are pretty satisfactorily determined as John R. Shu- 
gart and wife, Letitia, Mrs. Yandever and her two daughters, 
Robert Beebe, Mrs McNary and Polly Baxter. Such was the 
seed planted seventy years ago. The class led every third 
Sabbath by the preachers was otherwise .without a leader till 
^neas Graham and his wife united with it, and he in a short 
time was made leader. This was in the latter part of 1813 or 
early in 1811. Thereafter the growth of the young society 
was rapid, and among its earlier additions were Elias Watkins 



The Old and Neio Momnigahela. V^?> 

and wife, Mrs. Mary Black, Mrs. Veriier, mother-in-law of 
Bishop Simpson, Mrs. McNary and Nancy Koberts and William 
Jones, and the Padcns, the Philipses and David Sherbondy 
and wife. Later along the society was fm'ther enlarged by 
such names as the Wickerhams, the Woodwards, the Warnes, 
the Alexanders, the Herrons, the Youngs, the Swartzs, the 
Mills, the Cotts, the Bentleys, the Coulters, the Hulls, the 
Collinses and the Williams. The eight members in 1813 had 
reached 300 in 1833, and now, fifty years later, are in excess 
of 400. Such is some of the fruitage of the seed planted here 
by the Riggs brothers seventy years since. It has grown into 
a tree of beauty and casts on every side a grateful shade. For 
the living of to-day the fathers have made this wilderness to 
bloom as a garden of the Lord. They, themselves, having 
finished their work, have, the most of them, passed to their rest. 
We hail and l-ecall to-day those faithful men and women who 
filled up the measure of their days in serving God and doing 
good, and then entered into the gloryland. And we invoke 
blessings upon their co-workers who have come down to our 
times as so many relics of the heroic age of Methodism. 

Green be the path beneath them, 
And beautiful the sunset at evenuig. 

The society has had a growth at once substantial and en- 
couraging, but certainly more rapid and vigorous in the earlier 
than in the later times. In the first twenty years it grew from 
eight members to 300, and in its fifty years as a station it 
has only grown from 300 to 420 members. Is it not fitting 
that we ask ourselves to-day, are we doing in our place as well 
as did our fathers 'i 

J. C. Swickard, one of the most earnest class workers in the 
society, spoke on that subject which was near to heart, he was 
a warm lover of the class. In the grand history of our local 
Methodism, rimning back 70 years, it began with a class 
organized, and in the days of its greatest prosperity there were 
inght or ten classes. At a class meeting near Bentleysville, he 
went in, just why he didn't know, but while there he heard 
11 



184 TJk^ Old (Duf New MoiKmijdht'ht . 

that good iiiau Richard Richardson give his experience, saying 
that he knew, he felt in his heart that he "had found his 
Saviour." I coukl not say that, and was then and there I re- 
solved, and I never was satisfied till I had found that Saviour 
so precious to him, so dear to me. That is why I love the 
class. I was put in brother Clark ^s class, then Dr. Rabe's 
and finally Dr. Bracken asked me to take charge of the class. 
I felt my un worthiness, but I thank God now for the privilege 
it gives me to mingle my joys with those of my brethren. The 
preached word is a solace and a comfort, but religion gathers 
strength in the class room. God help us all to do our duty. 

Dr. Nesbit announced that he would endeavor to place on 
record succint history of the church up to the time 
when the regular record began. In his introduction of 
the several speakers the Doctor was peculiarly happy, and in 
all the services there was a warm, generous feeling which 
showed how happily united were pastor and people in the cele- 
bration now drawn to a close. Sunday was a half mile stone 
on the journey toward the Promised Land, and the 23d of 
September, 1883, will long remain written with a gilt star on 
the date in the annals of local church history. 

Mr. S. B. Bentley said this was a proud day to him, as he 
heard his family name so long and so intimately interwoven in 
words and works for the advancement of the Methodist Church. 
He wondered how old he really was when he heard all this 
back history repeated, and when he thought over how many 
of the old people he had personally known. The history of 
his family was a part of the town as well as of the church. 
His grandfather came in 1794 ; his mother was born here in 
1795, in the old house which stood on the river bank below 
where Mr. Bearer lives. He seemed to have been always in 
the church ; among his earliest recollections were being stood 
up on the broad altar-board, singing the old-time hymns as he 
learned them from his grandmother. My brethren, the sing- 
ing now is more artistic, but the hymns of those days com'erted 
]ieople. (A voice: Please sing one). To this request Bentley sang 



The Old and New Monongahela. 135 

"Saw ye my Savior and God," and the good old song must 
have awakened memories, for here and there a ' ' treble ' ' voice 
piped up in the chorus, showing that age had not forgotten the 
tunes of long ago — childhood. Some one asked him "Where 
will we be fifty years hence, when our centennial is celebrated ?'' 
He answered, "We will be goney And oh! my brethren, 
what record will we make that the speaker on that occasion 
can refer to sonietJilng we have done or said that will be worth 
remembering ; worth repeating. He had been singing with 
the choir for thirty-five years, and at many a funeral, at merry 
makings and at meetings. Is there any one here who dare say 
that Christians may not be united in the great choir which will 
gather to sing the grand song — when our King shall be crowned 
— and the saved shall sing Hozannas forever. 

Cyrus Underwood 

Died at his home, corner Coal and Sixth streets, Monongahela 
City, Wednesday evening, November 11, 1885. The Dalhf 
Repuhlican in noticing his death, remarks: Cyrus Underwood 
was born in Baltimore, Md., August 28, 1807. He was mar- 
ried in 1826 to Miss Rebecca Shriver. Eleven children blessed 
their union, five of whom are dead — three died in infancy. 
Wilbur was drowned from the steamer Bunton; Abraham died 
September 8, 1885. Six children yet live. Jane, wife of 
Hiram Filson; Amanda-, wife of A. V. Graham; Mary, widow 
of S. V. Miller; James, married; Charles and Hannah, unmar- 
ried and still at home. He had twenty-one grandchildren and 
ten great-grandchildren. He came to this city from Browns- 
ville in 1834:. He was one of the earliest and oldest Metho- 
dists of this community, having been connected with thecliurch 
for over 57 years. He was always greatly interested in educa- 
tion. The following paragraph is quoted from the historical 
address of Dr. J. S. VanVoorhis, delivered at the dedication 
of our new school house, July 1, 1881: "'The rapid growth 
of tlie borough soon necessitated the erection of a new school 
building. In the year 1852 the Board of Directors, consisting 



lo«) The Old and N'ew Monongahela. 

of our venerable friend Cyrus Underwood as President and the 
late Alex. Wilson as Secretary, with Joseph Alexander, H. H. 
Finley, Wilson Thompson and Alex. Scott as members, resolved 
to build a new school house, which gave the town the brick 
house across the street from this house. 

The lot was purchased from Henry Fulton. The house cost 
^7,000. Johnson Baird and William Wilson did the stone 
and brick work, whilst the veteran contractor, William Coulter, 
with us to-night, did the carpenter work. It was opened for 
school in the fall of 1853. Andrew Brown, now of the 
"Forks," and T. R. Hazzard, just returned from West New- 
ton, were the first teachers, the former having been the last to 
teach in the old building. 

Too much credit cannot be given president Underwood for 
his untiring industry and foresight in moulding public opinion 
and carrying the enterprise to successful issue. He first 
settled in this place in 1834, where he has resided ever since, 
excepting three years he served as recorder of the county. He 
and H. H. Finley are the only surviving members of that 
board of directors. We are glad to see them both here to- 
night. Kind friends, faithful Christians, human benefactors, 
we bid you God speed ! " 

Mr. Underwood took an active part in the establishment of 
our new cemetery and was very earnest in the advancement of 
its interests, and especially delighted in its adornment, making 
frequent visits to the city of the dead, never tired in admiring 
its trees and avenues. On Friday he will be laid to rest amid 
the graves and paths which shall know his footsteps no more, 
forever. He was a warm whig and a strong republican, and 
his public services were recognized by an election to be recorder, 
in which office he served during 1855-56-57, and left at the 
county seat a good record of fidelity to public duty, and up- 
right walks in the social life. It does not evoke much pain to 
write the words he is dead. He waited the coming, his soul 
yearned .for the rest, he was a ripe sheaf heavy for the harvest. 
Believing in Christ as his personal Saviour ho has completed 



Tlie Old and Nev) Monongahela. 137 

the work of life and gone to his eternal home. Therefore it is 
not sad to write the words ' ' he is dead, ' ' for all these words 
mean, when said of him, is that good, old " uncle Cyrus " has 
gone to his eternal home, and linked with his memory is only 
the fragrance of a pure life. 

Ira. R. Butler. 

Among the early and active class leaders in this church was 
Ira R. Butler. We insert an interview the author had with 
him a few years before his death. 

His grandfather was born in Bristol, England. His name 
was Noble Butler, and came to this country in 1716, about 
two years before the death of Wm. Penn. He landed at Phila- 
delphia and entered under the rules and regulations of Wm. 
Penn, one thousand acres of land at a very small price in Yeoch- 
land township, Chester county. His wife's name was Rachel 
Jones, of Welsh descent. Noble was a single man when he 
settled on this large farm, but not long after his arrival he was 
married. They had twelve children, the youngest of whom 
was Benjamin, the father of Ira. Noble died on this farm in 
1804. Benjamin Butler had as sons and daughters, David, 
Jonathan, Elizabeth, Abner, Eunice, Noble, Is^iac, Benjamin, 
Joel, Joseph and Ira R. His large family growing rapidly to- 
ward maturity, Benjamin Butler, although surrounded by every 
comfort that wealth and opportunity could afford, began about 
the beginning of the present century to show a disposition to 
try his fortunes in the wilds of the Ohio. This increased after 
the death of his father. To carry out his desires in a satisfac- 
tory way, he sent two of his sons on horseback to spy out tlie 
new country, with instructions to purchase one well improved 
farm, and to secure enough in the neighborhood to furnish the 
family a farm each. They in due time returned with glowing 
accounts of the Ohio valley, and reported in favor of a section 
near North Bend on the Ohio river, some distance below Cin- 
cinnati. In a short time Father Butler sent the same sons 
back to secure the property by absolute purchase. On their 



138 The Old and New MonongaJiela. 

return to the homestead in the spring of 1805, the old gentle- 
man sold all he had except such things as were determined to be 
taken along. After harvest they all bid adieu to the old home- 
stead with its magnificent stone mansion, and with a six-horse 
wagon, a five-horse wagon, a two-horse carriage and two extra 
horses the family set out on their journey to Ohio. They trav- 
eled by the way of Lancaster, Harrisburg and Bedford, and 
crossed the Monongahela river at Parkison's Ferry on Sabbath 
evening the 6th of October, 1805; put up at the tavern of 
George Trout, long known as the Caldwell stand, on Main 
street. Next morning the father arose from bed ; went to feed 
the horses so as to be ready for an early start; returned to the 
house, laid down to await breakfast; when called he was speech- 
less; died before midnight of palsy. Doctors at that time were 
not convenient, none nearer than Greensburg or the Upper 
Forks. In the midst of this sudden aiiiiction to the new- 
comers, it was suggested to send up the country a 
a short distance for a man the name of Miller, who 
made pretentions to be a general doctor in all things, 
especially in cows and other animals. He arrived in due 
time, and with no little degree of pomp and self assurance, 
pronounced the old gentleman's disease to be yellow fever, 
supplementing his decisions with the remark that he had powders 
"for fifty cents each, which, if taken promptly, would prevent 
the rest of the family, and citizens generally, from taking the 
disease." Many powders were no doubt disposed of to 
the credulous. Most of the family were in a short time 
taken unwell, and within two weeks Isaac died. In the mean- 
time Dr. Marchand, of Greensburg, was called. The history 
of the case of the old gentleman was related, and he declared ; 
it to be a stroke of the palsy; that the rest of the family, from : 
exposure on the journey, had malarial fever. He denounced 
the cow doctor in severest terms, and on examination found 
his powders to be made of brick dust and some other as inert 
substance. He declared he would not hesitate to cwrhide such 
a man. 



The Old and Ntw Monovgahela. • 139 

Isaac was buried with his father in the Wicker ham grave- 
yard, now in the third ward. In the midst of this sorrow 
Captain Daniel VanYoorhis called to see and comfort the 
family. He said, "Boys, if yoii are not going to use your 
horses send them up to my farm and turn them into the fort 
Held where the grass is knee deep, and leave them there as 
long as you deem proper.'' Ira and one of his brothers salted 
them regularly, and there Ira saw a bear for the first time, 
which was a pet of Abraham YanYoorhis, then about 20 years 
old. Some of the shoes that came off these horses were found 
a few years since in plowing the field. They are in the pos- 
session of John YanYoorhis, the present owner of the field. 
The death of the father of this family created no little stir in 
the town; the citizens generally were frightened, and some 
were so lost to shame as to insist on the Butlers leaving town 
even in their distress. The father's death necessitated the tak- 
ing of an inventory of his goods. As this was being done the 
goods were to be removed to the Red house, now gone, at the 
mouth of First street, on the river, which had been rented from 
Samuel Black. Some of the citizens, more nervous than 
humane, persuaded Mr. Black not to allow the family to occupy 
the house, though part of the goods had been loaded on the 
wagons and in the way to the house. He yielded to their 
demands, leaving them in such a strait as they knew not what 
to do. At this critical moment appeared among them the 
good Samaritan, Nathan W. Chalfant, saying, "Strangers, I 
have a house rented down on Race street which I will not 
need till spring. Drive your w^agons to it and unload your 
goods, and let me see the man who will dare to disturb you." 
Thus the Butlers became citizens of the town, and their pros- 
pects for North Bend blighted. This man Chalfant lived in 
Brownsville, but was building keel boats in the town, being 
its first boat builder. His name and that of Capt. YanYoor- 
his were cherished in fond remembrance by the Butler family, 
and the Esquire at this day says, "I hardly know anybody else 
than the YanYoorhis name.''' Afterwards some time the 



14 1) TJie Old and New Moriongahvla. 

family moved into the frame house, then iinlinished, opposite 
the City Hotel, occupied by Keller & Co. The members of 
the family generally were short lived. One of the boys was 
thrown from a stage three miles this side of Washington, from 
the effects of which he died September, 1822. Rachel died 
13th of October, 1822. Joel married Betsy, daughter of 
William Irwin, of whom we have written. Eunice married the 
late David Woodward, father of Noble and Joseph. She 
died a few years since, an account of whose death was written 
by Lewis Bollman and printed in the Repuhlican. At this 
date Ira alone remains. He was born at the old homestead in 
Chester county, November 15th, 1792. He was married by 
George Bentley, Esq., to Mary Boyd, June lith, 1822. She 
was born October 23d, 1801, at New London Cross Roads, 
Chester county. She died September 7th, 1874. Ira and 
his wife first set up housekeeping in what was long known as 
the Peggy Speers house, in Catsburg. In 1812 he kept store 
with his brother Benjamin in the house now occupied by T. 
H. Baird, Esq., on Main street, known as the Stewart property. 
He sold eggs for three to four cents per dozen, butter six to 
ten cents per pound, home made sugar 6^ cents per pound, 
there was no other kind of sugar sold; used tallow candles for 
light in candlesticks of tin with brass mountings and about ten 
inches high. As people generally made their own wearing 
material from flax and tow, there was not much finery sold in 
the stores. 

The mercantile business did not agree with his health. He 
sold out, went to Lake Erie, where he secured employment as 
super-cargo on the sailing vessel " Union of the Grand River,"" 
Captain Martin, Master. The boat was chartered by the 
North American Fur Company, of which John J. Astor was 
president, to bring furs and other goods from Fort Mackinaw, 
after its surrender to the British forces by Captain Darragh, 
brother of the late Daniel Darragh, of Mingo. One of the 
terms of the surrender permitted private citizens to take away 
their property. He was on the same vessel three years, during 
two of which he was captain of the craft, and hence he ac- 



The Old and New Monongahela. 141 

quired the title of Captai.n Butler. In the winter of 1815 he 
returned to Williamsport and followed boat building. He 
moved from the Peggy Speers house to the Woodward place, 
where John Lamb first had his tan yard. He subsequently 
bought the property opposite the paper mill, and in 1837 built 
the brick house in which he lived until in 1841 he moved to 
his present residence. He sold his property opposite the paper 
mill to Douglas McFarland, father of Campbell McFarland, 
Esq., and Rev. John McFarland, who died some years ago in 
Greenfield, Dade county, Missouri. He bought his present 
residence from a man the name of Stockdale, who, we think, 
purchased it from the Baxters. 

On the 12th day of May, 1880, we called on Esq. Butler. 
He was not at home, but was informed that he would be home 
shortly, as he only walked down to the blackmith's at Victory 
coal works, and as he was a good walker would soon be back. 
I thought to myself, a pretty good walk for a man 88 years old. 
In a short time J heard him on the porch, met him with an 
extended hand ; looking me in the eyes, says : "I believe I 
do not know you."" Giving him a gentle hint who I was, he 
exclaimed, "-Why, John, I hav'n't seen you for thirty years. 
Set down, I am very glad to see you." 

I soon discovered that he was a perfect encyclopaedia of the 
l)ast ; his recollection clear ; his conversational powers unim- 
paired ; his body erect ; in fact a man extraordinarily well 
])re8erved. He has preserved all his papers bearing on his 
history, business and travels. Still has his copy books used 
when at school in 1807; a memorandum of miscellany during his 
life ; a detailed description of a journey in a flatboat from 
Williamsport to Orleans ; his experience on Lake Erie, in fact 
the sum total of a long, active life on paper. After giving me 
a sketch of his family as above, only at length, I gathered 
from him much in a desultory way. 

Well, Esq., which house do you think was first built in town 'i 
Ans. The log part of the old Parkison mansion. Who was the 
first cabinet maker 'i Joseph McClure, who made my father's 



142 The Old and New Memongaltela . 

coffin, and under whom the late John Eckles learned his trade. 
His shop was across the alley from the City Hotel, in which 
Joseph Hamilton afterwards had his cabinet shop. By whom 
and when was the City Hotel built % Washington Palmer, in 
1811, just before he went out in Capt. James Warne's company 
to the war of 1812, this company being apart of Pennsylvania'.s 
first quota. Who built the old Glass Works, now gone '. 
Parkison, Warne & Co., in 1816. The company consisted of 
William Parkison, James Warne, Joel and Benjamin Butler. 
Haywood did the job at a cost of ^27,000 before it was ready 
to start. At the first blast the cap fell in and in fact the whole 
was a failure. It was sold at sheriff's sale to Samuel Black 
and J. and R. McGrew, who rented it to Wm. Ihmsen. How 
about Catsburg? When Esq. James Mitchell laid out East 
Williamsport in 1811, the widow Biddie Caldwell and her 
daughter were the only inhabitants on the site, and their cal)iii 
was the only dwelling except the old log house in which Daniel 
DePue had resided, on the point at the mouth of the creek. 
Biddie 's cabin was situated in the orchard on the slope of the 
hill above the residence of the widow Collins. Biddie and 
her daughter were constantly quarrelling, squealing, pulling 
hair and crying like cats. So prominent a feature were these 
qualities that the household was called the "cat and kittens,'" 
and the people on the other side of the creek very soon took 
hold of the idea of calling the new town Catsburg, despite of 
the Esq. 's name. Who gave the old graveyard lot? William 
Parkison. The new addition was purchased by a general sub- 
scription under the supervision of the late Joseph Wilson. 
Who was Thomas Wells 'i The first saddle and harness maker 
in town. Who built the first saw mill ? William Johnson, 
the father-in-law of William Layman. It stood not far from 
Neel, Blythe & Co.'s mills. In building boats before this 
time the creek mills sawed the timber into plank, but the whip- 
saw made it into shape. "Well, Esq., I must go." "If you 
must go,"' says he. " I want you to call again and I will give 
you a detail of the building of the town, and how I used to 



Tht Old and New MonmigaJiela. 143 

work for my old friend, Abrani Van Voorhis, and others for 
02^ cents per day.''' 

Ira Butler died at his home in Carroll township, July 18, 
18S1:. The Dally Repuhlican in a notice of his death says, 
"His funeral took place on Sunday, July 20, from his old 
homestead, and was followed to Monongahela cemetery by the 
largest concourse of people that has ever been seen at the ob- 
sequies of any citizen in this part of the country. His death 
occurred at ten o'clock on Friday night, and the funeral was 
announced for two o'clock on Sabbath. Long before the hour 
appointed for the interment hundreds of people in scores of 
vehicles had collected at the venerated old man's residence to 
do honor to the memory of one who had lived among them a 
monument of honesty, uprightness and purity. The pall bear- 
ers were Wm. Galbraith, Wm. Coulter, David Rabe and 
Joseph Warne. The funeral was under the direction of Capt. 
A. D. O'Donovan. The casket furnished was of oak, draped 
with black cloth. On the plate was the following inscription : 

Capt. Ika Keese Butlek, 
Aged 91 Years, 8 Months and 3 Days. 

Dr. Nesbitt, pastor of the Methodist Church of this city, 
officiated on the occasion, and in his discourse alluded feelingly 
and appropriately to the long life and Christian example of the 
deceased. The emblem of the sheaf of wheat placed upon the 
casket fitly illustrated that the harvest had been gathered and 
his many years of usefulness was to be well rewarded by the 
enjoyment of a bright and glorious beyond. He had been a 
consistent member of the Methodist Church of this city for over 
seventy years, having connected himself with it in its infancy, 
when about twenty-two years of age. Captain Butler was truly 
one of the pioneers of Washington county, and the many scraps 
of local history connected with his life would be of great inter- 
est to the general reader. About 1815 he was captain of a 
sailing vessel on the lakes, where he was accustomed to put in 
his time in the business season, returning to Monongahela City 
to spend the winter with his friends and family. In June, 



1-44 Th<^ Old and Neio Monongahela. 

1880, we published from the pen of our valued correspondent, 
Dr. Van Yoorhis, reminiscences of Mr. Butler and family 
from which we to-day reprint a few extracts.'" These extracts 
were inserted in a former part of this article. Ira K. Butler 
was the last of seven sons, all of whom are now dead. The 
Captain left behind him eight children — Benjamin F., now de- 
ceased (1889), Ira William and Mrs. Dr. Keys, Mrs. James 
Blythe, Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. Keechline and Miss Sarah, all resid- 
ing in or about Monongahela City. 

Eli AS Watson. 

Among the early and devoted members of this church was 
Elias Watkins. His father, Joseph Watkins, came from Baskin 
Ridge, N. J, in 1801, and settled near Williamsport, on what 
farm we are not informed. He died within two years after his 
arrival. He seems to have beon married twice. By his second 
marriage he had three sons, Jeremiah, John and Elias, and one 
daughter, Ann, who married the late Abram Van Voor- 
his. Jeremiah married Nancy Pugh, born in New 
Jersey, Her father and mother, it may be said, were 
both Revolutionary soldiers, he being in the American 
army during the entire war, and she living amidst many of its 
most stirring scenes; was frequently involved in the perils and 
hardships incident to a country occupied by contending armies. 
Jeremiah was a farmer of Fallowlield, living fourteen years on 
a tract of land belonging to the Grable estate on Pigeon creek, 
and from which, in 1839, he moved to Southeastern Indiana, 
where he owned a large body of land on which he died in 1845. 
His wife died about the year 1870, surviving her husband 25 
years. They left three sons; two of whom are successful 
farmers in Kansas. The oldest son was named Joseph Finley, 
after Mr. Finley, who died years ago in Rostraver township, 
Westmoreland county. Joseph F. was 19 years old when his 
father took him with him to Indiana. He remained on his 
father's farm assisting in making improvements and caring for 
the family for ten years, during which time he represented his 



The Old and New Monongahela. 145 

county for two terms in the Legislature. His differing with a 
majority of his constituents by advocating the passage of a 
stringent temperance law, caused his defeat afterwards for an 
important county office. He then abandoned politics, shook 
the dust of that county from his feet, moved to the western part 
of the State, where he successfully engaged in the mercantile 
business up to 1872, when he sold out with a view of partially 
retiring from business. His active disposition and business 
turn of mind would not allow him a life of retirement. He 
bought a half interest in the extensive Brown mills, in the city 
of Crawford sville, in connection with which is a large grain 
elevator. The firm of Brown & Watkins is now largely engaged 
in shipping and manufacturing flour. 

John Watkins was well known in this community for many^ 
years. He was a carpenter by trade and did much of the fine 
work in the older houses in this vicinity. His first wife was a 
daughter of Alexander McCaslin, who resided years ago near 
Ginger Hill. He moved from the farm to Williamsport about 
the year 1828, purchased the lot on which Dr. Linn erected 
his new house. On this lot in 1829 he built a dwelling house 
and store room, now being torn down. William Mills in 1839 
had a store in this room, and also the firm of Mills & Storer 
occupied it for a time. He left town, in what year we can not 
tell, to reside on a farm on Mingo, not far from Kammerer's 
Mills, where he died about 20 years ago. We have no infor- 
mation as to his children. 

Elias, tlie remaining brother, was a man of marked religious 
character, of deep and fervent piety. In connection with 
James Mills he built the old steam mill on the other side of 
the river from the mouth of First street. This mill was burned 
many years ago whilst owned and run by a man the name of 
Joseph Coulson. The cause of the fire remains a mystery to 
this day. Elias lived a long time at the mills, long since gone, 
belonging to Abram VaiiYoorhis, which stood oh Pigeon 
creek. He died about the year 1884, leaving a widow and a 
large family of children. His wife was a half-sister of Robert 



146 TJie Old and New Monongahela . 

Phillips, the late Nancy Wickerhain and Mrs. Jane VanVoor- 
his, and a full sister, we think, of Margaret Paden — Mrs. 
Hull, deceased. His son John was a glassblower by trade. 
He quit his trade on account of health; lived in and owned the 
house just above the Episcopal church on Main street. He 
married Miss Eliza Jane, daughter of the late James Warne. 
He with his family moved in 1857 to the vicinity of Parkers- 
burg, W. Va. , to engage in farming. Of his present where- 
abouts we are not able to say, further than that he some 
years ago moved to the west, and was accidentally killed. 
William, another son of Elias, was also a glassblower. 
He moved many years ago from this county to Indiana. 
Thornton F. died on the plains on his journey to California. 
One of the daughters married William Hugus, a glassblower, 
resided a short time in Belle Yernon, and at last accounts near 
Alliance, Ohio, where he was a successful farmer. As to the 
remaining members of the family we have not any tidings. 

RicnAKD Stockdale. 

This old and well known gentleman died at his residence in 
Monongahela City January 20th, 1889, in his 71th year, 
of dropsy, superinduced by rheumatism. 

Richard Stockdale, son of William Stockdale, was born 
October 15th, 1815, on the Curry farm, Forward township. 
Allegheny county. His father moved to the farm on the pike, 
where James Stockdale lived, while Richard was yet a lad. 
The family consisted of five brothers: John; James, who lived 
on the home place; William and Rol)ert, who were in the 
furniture and lumber business for many years, both now dead. 
There were five sisters: Sarah, widow of the late Captain Samuel 
Morgan, of Gastonville; Rachel, wife of James Porter, of 
Bloomington, 111.; Margaret, wife of James Kerr, of this city; 
Eliza, widow of Rol)ert Patton; and Forbes, wife of William 
Coulter, Ijoth of this citv. 



Tile Old and Nevi Mon/mgahela. 147 

Richard Stockdale learned the trade of tanner with Alexander 
Williams, and after his majority workeS at his trade in Circle- 
ville and Zanesville, Ohio. Returning in 1843 he leased the 
ground and opened a tan yard on the site now occupied by the 
residence and grounds of James V. Shepler on Pike avenue. 
In 1850 he bought from James Gordon, Esq., the tannery on 
Main street, where he had worked as an apprentice, he also 
purchased. the dwellings thereon, which now form part of his 
estate and where for many years he lived. Henry Fulton's 
lease had just expired and Mr. Stockdale succeeded him in the 
business. He operated this tannery until 1877, when the 
growth of city environments made it undesirable for that pur- 
pose. He relinquished the tanning business in 1878, having 
successfully followed the business for 35 years. He then en- 
gaged in the coal trade, operating the works known as "Stock- 
dale's,"' in Carroll township. He retired from active business 
in 1881, since which time he had suffered from rheumatic 
trouble more or less. 

Mr. Stockdale was married in 1845 to Miss Levina Hoffman, 
of Somerset township, six sons blessed the union, one of 
whom, Charles, died in infancy, the others are providentially 
able to be present at the funeral, except Richard, who is in 
Montana. Mrs. Stockdale died November 3d, 1880. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stockdale were both active, earnest and hard- 
working members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was 
a trustee and a class leader, was one of the building committee 
and a liberal contributor to the present edifice on Main street. 
Mrs. Stockdale was a leader in woman's work for the church, 
her monument is established in the hearts of many hundreds. 
Together they walked hand in hand; a few years of separation; 
n(^w again united beyond the river. Peace to their memory. 

Makk Borland. 
f From Monong:ahela Rcpublmtn of July 14, 1803.] 

Mark Borland, Esq., died suddenly at his home on Main 
street in this city on Thursday night about 11 o'clock, July 13, 



148 Ths Old and New Monongahela. 

1893. He had been unusually well, for him, all day, and had 
his trunk packed to go to-day with the grandchildren for a visit. 
He wassuddeidy stricken down, and attending physicians, hastily 
summoned, found that an internal hemorrhage had reached and 
filled his lungs. 

Mark Borland was born Dec. 16, 1827, in Pittsburgh, son 
of Moses and Sallie Taggart Borland. He went to school to Mas- 
ter Meads in the Second ward school house on the bank where 
the Monongahela House now stands. At the age of 14 he 
went with Phillip Ross to learn the dry good trade, and for 
some years clerked in Pittsburgh stores, gaining the business ex- 
perience so useful to him in later life. He clerked for Zebulon 
Kinstry, who did a general store and jewelry business; next 
with Stacy Lloyd, then with George F. Deihl. He went into 
the dry goods store of Perry Baker, of McKeesport, and finally 
at Port Perry hung out his own shingle upon which for the first 
time appeared the name of ''Mark Borland, General Merchan- 
dise."" He hadn't a dollar when he started but soon paid for 
his goods and had $8,000 in bank as his first earnings. He 
thought he saw in Limetown the coming centre for trade in 
the middle pool, and moved there. He also went into the 
coal trade with his brother-in-law, John Peterson, now dead, 
and J. B. Corey, now a coal king. 

The tight times of just before the war came on, he sold out 
at Limetown and came to Monongahela, in 1857, forming part- 
nership with John Young, and occupying a room on the present 
location. 

The business has grown with the passing years, guided by 
his excellent judgment. In 1833 he joined Swickard and 
McCurdy in the erection of the city block, and the store now 
occupies five large rooms, the most extensive dry goods and 
shoe house in the valley. His sons were taken into the firm as 
they reached majority. 

Mr. Borland was married to Miss Elizabeth Peterson, at Port 
Perry, in 1852, by Pev. Sparks. This dear wife survives him, 
together with his children, John, Howard, Ida, Sallie, Charles, 



Th' Old aiul Neil) 3f<>noiiy<i/iel(i. 1-iU 

Bess, James and Hunter. No family was ever bound togetlier 
by stronger ties, no parents ever strove more earnestly to make 
home the dearest spot on earth. 

He was one of our most widely known citizens. He has 
served in City Councils, and was seven years town Treasurer. 
He was not active in politics, but held faith in the Republican 
party and the American tariff. In his moral relationship he 
was a Methodist, having joined that church during a revival, 
and became much attached to its services. He was an earnest 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and belonged to the Royal 
Arcanum, United Workmen, Odd Fellows, Good Templars. 
In his business life Mr. Borland was "conservative, by nature 
companionable and social, enjoying a quiet joke and fond of 
company. Yet by the evening lamp, after business, sufrounded 
by his family, or on the play ground enjoying a romp with his 
grandchildren, our friend found his chiefest joy. And when 
his coffin is carried forth, those who will be his chiefest mourn- 
ers will be the ones who knew him best in his beloved home. 

Hon. Alexander Hervey Houston. 

Who was Mayor of this city in 1890 and 1892, died at his 
residence on Sixth street, at four o'clock on Sunday, July 
16th, 1893, of typhoid fever, in the 34th year of his age. 

The family always abbreviated his name Alexander to 
••Sandy" and as such he preferred to be called, so that he 
signed his name and is known as S. H. Houston. He was 
born in Washington, Pa., May 3rd, 1860, son of James Hous- 
ton. His mother is dead, his father is in the city, and was at 
his bedside when he died, Sandy graduated at the Union 
School, Washington, studied Latin with a tutor, entered W, & 
J. College in 1878, and graduated in 1882. He also graduated 
at Philadelphia Dental College and took a post graduate course 
at Ann iVrbor ; held both diplonnis, and was recognized as a 
skilled professional. He came to Monongahela City in Octo- 
ber, 1886 ; married Miss Margaret Power, Sej)tember 29, 
1887, who remains his widow with three children, James, 
Rebecca and Florence. i,. 



150 Tin- Old It ml JVeiii Moiiom/aJwla. 

\)v. Houstou was a member of the Junior Order American 
Mechanics and the Royal Arcanum, both of which orders will 
attend his funeral. 

The Doctor was a young man full of vigor ; he had a tine 
professional reputation and was a valuable member of our 
community. Under his administration good order prevailed, 
and he did not hesitate to promote peace by his presence with 
the police when required. His form was commanding and his 
resolution so well known that evil doers respected the law in 
his person as Mayor. He favored improvements, and was 
public spirited. He was a young man who promised to de- 
velop strong points as a good citizen ; his influence was on the 
right side, and his actions were prompt to good purposes. 

Interment in Monongahela cemetery July 18, 1803. 

AuKT Margaret Phillips. 

By this endearing title Mrs. Phillips was known to nearly 
all our people. She was daughter of Benjamin Parkison, born 
at the old homestead, which stood near the present site of 
Mongah Mines, July 16th, 1807. She died in Monongahela 
City, in the brick corner house on Main street, where she has 
lived since 1848, on Saturday evening, July 15th, 1893. 

She was married to John M. Phillips, March 11, 1830, and 
has had four children: Benjamin, William, James and Eliza- 
beth, all dead. 

Her husband died Ayjril 17th, 1838. She was a member of 
tiie Methodist church, and had been for so many years that 
the records do not seem to reach back to the date of her 
joining. 

The funeral takes place at three o'clock to-day (Monday), 
interment at Monongahela cemetery. Mrs. Philli])s was a 
quiet home-body, she lived peacefully the life of a devoted 
christian, and has sim])ly gone home — it hardly seems as if 
she has died. 



The Old and New Moiiongahela. 151 

The Blaok-Bentley-King Families. 

Samuel Black was one of the earlier business men of the 
valley. He was born in Down county, Ireland, in 177G; emi- 
grated from his native country to the United States in 1794. 
Pie was married in Fort Pitt in 1795 to Mary Bealer. In the 
same year he located at Parkisou's Ferry, now Monongahela 
City, Fenn'a. He purchased from Joseph Parkison and lived 
in the well known Red house at the mouth of Ford, now Second 
street, where he carried on the mercantile business for many 
years. Owing to the falling in of the river bank from the 
washing away of 150 feet of the lot, there is at this time not a 
trace of the house remaining. Samuel Black died in 1846 at 
the homestead on the pike, where, also, his wife died in 1847. 
For many decades Samuel Black was considered the most 
wealthy man in Washington county. He owned the old Parki- 
son farm on which Bellevidere now stands. He owned the 
farm now owned by Resin Frye, and also the farm on which 
Bellcwood is now located. He owned a large tract of land on 
the river opposite Bellewood and adjoining the old Parkison 
mill property, now known as Elkhorn. He had quite a number 
of houses and lots in Monongahela City, besides valuable blocks 
in the city of Pittsburgh. 

He was a man of large physical frame, always wore his hair 
in a cue, and in general appearance was austere, with the 
usual dignity of the primitive landholder. We presume that 
few of his cotemporaries are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Black 
had a large family of child ren, of whom were born in the red 
house, Elizabeth, Harry and Maria. In 1801 they moved to 
the homestead on the pike, where were born Samuel, Caroline, 
Cyrus, Marcus, Jane, Ross, Wilson, Mary and Hester, all of 
whom lived to womanhood and manhood. Elizabeth married 
William Bentley in 1825, who lived in the house near the 
]ires('nv wharf, wliich for years luid been used as the Methodist 
Episco]>al ('hurch. In this house his son Samuel B. Bentley 
was born in 1826, being the same year in which his father died. 



152 Th<> Old and Mhc Monongahela. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Bentley died October 10, 1878. S. B. Bent- 
ley now lives in the house built by Samuel Black in 1815, but 
it has been subject to many changes and remodelings since that 
time. Samuel B. Bentlcy's first wife was Sarah, daughter of 
^Eneas Graham, and his second wife was Minerva, daughter 
of Henry and Elizabeth Swartz Kabe, thus uniting two of the 
oldest families about Monongahela City. They have four 
children living at this date, Millie G., Charles R. , Harry K., 
and Mary M. Samuel B. Bentley joined the Methodist E. 
Church of his native city in 1847, under the pastorate of Rev. 
Nathaniel Calendar. His grandmother Black was one of the 
pioneer women of Methodism in Western Pennsylvania, and 
his mother was a member of the same church in its primitive 
days. He was the choirister of the church over forty years. 
His first school teacher w^as Miss Jane Hepburn, whose father 
was Principal and sister Eliza was assistant. They taught in a 
house now owned by Silas Haley, four doors above the Peo- 
ple's Bank, on Main street. This school was in 1830 and 1831. 

Samuel Black's son, Harry, married Miss Cotts, of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, both of whom are dead. They left two children 
who are still living: Samuel, a lawyer of Cincinnati, and 
Sarah, who married a Mr. Cox of the same city. 

Maria Black, who died December 29th, 1889, in her 90th 
year, married Dr. S. M. King, a noted and highly esteemed 
physician of Monongahela City. He settled in that city about 
the year 1815, and died at his home on Chess street, Septem- 
ber 7th, 1877. The Monongahela Republican in giving an 
account of his death, says, ''Dr. King was born at Uniontown, 
Pa., October 8th, 1794. He received a thorough education 
at Canonsburg, Pa. He studied medicine at Greensburg, Pa.. 
with Drs. Marchand and Postlewaite, and graduated at the 
University of Pennsylvania. He settled in Williamsport, now 
Monongahela City, in 1815 and commenced the practice of his 
profession. In 1817 he married Maria Black, daughter of the 
late Samuel Black. With the exception of a few months' 
residence in Madison, Indiana, about the year 1840, he has 



The Old and New Monongahela. 153 

been continuously identified with the business and society of 
his adopted city for 62 years. Dr. King retired from the ac- 
tive practice of medicine only about 10 years ago, transferring 
his busines's to his son, the late Dr. William H. King.'' 

Dr. S. M. King died a Christian as he had lived one, and 
those who visited him in his invalid chamber, expecting to find 
it shrouded under the shadow.of gloom, found, instead, a house 
of rejoicing, a cheerful making ready for the Bridegroom, a 
chamber lit up with flashes of light from the Gates Ajar. A 
few days before his death, calling for his favorite walking 
stick, the dying man caught the staff firmly by its handle and 
exclaimed. "Farewell vain world. I am on my journey 
home." With rejoicing and not with trembling he went down 
into the valley, leaving behind as a legacy for us all, the record 
Christian life, and the triumph of a Believer's death. They had 
quite a large family of children. John L., who died Septem- 
ber 12, 1881; Samuel K. married Harriet Woodburn, of Madi- 
son, Indiana, and died in 185-, leaving two children, Culver 

) and Clarence. Wm. H. King studied medicine with his father, 
graduated at the Jeft'erson Medical College in 1853, resided all 
his life in Monongahela Citv, where he was reeiarded as one of 

S^ the most prominent physicians and surgeons in WQstern Penn- 
sylvania. He married Sarah, daughter of Rev. S. M. Sparks, 
one of the pioneers of the Cumberland Church in Western Pa. 
Dr. William H. King was noted not only as a thorough and 
learned physician and surgeon, but for his kind disposition and 
great benevolence. No poor man or woman was ever turned 
from his house, either in a professional or charitable way. He 
died in 1871, being just 50 years old the day he died. He had 
three children, all living at this date, Ida, Maria and Alvin. 

Richard C, another son of Dr. S. M. King, never married 
and still remains as a household god in the old home. Dr. 
Cyrus B. was the youngest son of the older Dr. King. He 
graduated from Jeft'erson Medical College in 1862, and is now 
numbered among the most distinguished medical men in Alle- 
gheny City, where he has always ])urMn('d his jirofcssion, and is 



154 The Old and New Monemcjaliela. 

a Professor in the Western Pennsylvania Medical College. He 
married Euphemia, daughter of the Rev. John Kerr, who for 
many years was pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Monon- 
gahela City. Mrs. Euphemia King was a lady of more than 
ordinary Christian character. She was noted for her work of 
love and charity in the Third Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. 
Hers was a model Christian life, in all its phases, as wife, 
mother, church member and friend to the poor. Pollock's 
description of the dying motlier is peculiarly applicable to her. 

•'Her eyes, they set as sets the Morning Star, 
Th'at g(;es not down behind the daikened west, 
Nor hides amid tire tempest of the sky, 
But melts away into the liiiht of Heaven." 

She died July 26, 1881, in Allegheny City, Pa., honored 
and beloved by all who knew her, leaving three children, 
Annie, now Mrs. Bakewell, Nina and Victor, to mourn their 
loss. 

Samuel Black, son of Samuel Black the older, died in the 
old stone house at the mouth of Dry Run, about the year 1833. 
He left two children, Samuel R. and Caroline. 

Caroline, daughter of the older Black, married Robert Smith, 
a successful farmer, near Elizabeth, Allegheny county, Pa. 
She died July 24, 1885. 

Cyru-s Black, son of Samuel Black, once a noted revivalist 
of the M. E. Church, married Bellevidere McGahan, both are 
deceased, leaving two daughters, Mary and Cornelia, residents 
of New York. 

Marcus, another son, married Matilda Morton. Both arc 
dead, leaving two children: Morton, of the banking house of 
Alexander & Co., and Mary, wife of William M. Boggs. 

Jane Black married W. S. Millinger, a well known military 
man, and postmaster of Monongahela City during the Tyler 
administration. He kept the postoffice in the house now 
occupied by S. B. Bentley. They had thi-ee sons, George V. 
L., Marcus and Robert F., and one daughter, Alice, the wife 
of Norman Wylie of Allegheny (^ity. 



The Old and New Me>nong(theUi. 155 

l\oss Black was educated at Jetl'erson College, and studied 
law witli Hon. E. M. Stanton, under the tuition of Judge Stokeley 
of Steubenville, Ohio. He was admitted to the Washington, 
Pa., bar in 1841, and died in Monongahela City in 1857. 

Wilson S., the remaining son, died on his way home from 
the Mexican war. 

The remaining daughters were Mary, married to George S. 
Clark, who died in Chattanooga, Tenn., where his widow and 
children still live. Hester married Colvin Bissell and died 
long ago. They had two daughters, Mary and Ida, both of 
whom are living. 

Mks. Maria Kino. 

Died December 29, 1889. 

The Monongahela Bejyuhlican of December 30, 1889, thus 
speaks of the death of Mrs. King : 

The death of this lady removes from Monongahela its oldest 
resident, one who began life with the century, born in May, 
1800, and who has lived as its years rolled by, till now she 
sees the light of its last decade, but before the dawn of the 
New Year she passed into eternity where years are not counted. 
The baby Maria, child of Samuel and Mary Black, was born 
in what afterward was known as the "old red house," which 
stood near the river bank, back from Mr. Beaver's, on First 
street. The family soon afterwards moved to their mansion 
house on the hill, where the girl spent her childhood, and 
where she was married to Dr. Samuel M. King, who has pre- 
ceded her to the silent land. Of thirteen children Richard and 
Dr. Cyrus remain of the sons ; Mrs. Baird and Mrs. Mosely of 
the daughters. Mrs. King, like most old people, lived much 
in the past, and was familiar with the early history of the city 
which she had seen grow up about her. She was a pupil in 
the first Sunday school taught by Judge Gordon in 1811. She 
stood at her father's door step and saw the " Williamsport 
Rangers" march away under Captain James Warne to tlie war 
of 1812 ; she watched the builders put up the first glass factory 
near the place where Elijah Harrison's sons now live, by 



150 The Old and New Monongakela. 

Parkison and Warne ; and subsequently saw the smoke curl 
from a factory owned and controlled by her father. She heard 
the new county question discussed for nearly a hundred years. 
She saw her father active in the erection of the " first house of 
worship" initiative steps for which were taken July T, 1814, 
when Joseph Parkison for the sum of $45 conveyed to Samuel 
Black, James Gordon, James Hair, David Hamilton, William 
Irwin and others, trustees for building a Presbyterian meeting 
house on ''lot No. 72, on the hill." She saw the first river 
bridge built, her father having "released the bridge company 
from all danger to any lands of his taken in the erection of 
a bridge." And so on. 

Within her lifetime is a history of this town ; when she was 
born Jefferson was the third President, and Aaron Burr Yice 
President of the United States ; when she was seven years old 
Robert Fulton made his first steamboat trip. Slaves were then 
brought to this country from Africa and sold, and Ohio was 
.not yet in the Union. 

What a long life to live, and how many memories must have 
clustered about her as she sank peacefully to rest on the dawn 
of a Sabbath day. 

William Jones' Family. 

William Jones was born at Ellicott's Mills, Maryland, in 
May, 1763, and died in the latter part of March, 1862. He 
located in the neighborhood of Ginger Hill, in Washington 
county, a few years before the Whiskey Insurrection, on the 
farm still owned by his son William. He was a blacksmith by 
trade. When the U. S. troops were sent out to disperse the 
insurgents they halted near his farm, from whence they were 
ordered to return, as the insurrection was over. While in 
camp he shod some of the Government horses. He was loyal 
to the Government and took no part in the insurrection. By 
his first wife he had eleven children, five sons and six daughters, 
viz., John, Elijah, Jesse, Samuel and William, Rebecca, Deli- 
lah, Polly, Ruth, Rose and Ann. At an advanced ago he 



1 



The Old and New Monoiigahela. 157 

married Mrs. Jane Philips as his second wife, by whom he had 
DO children. John was the founder of Jonestown, in Fallow- 
held, where he lived most of his life, during which he was 
generally engaged in farming, merchandising and in keeping 
entertainment. His peculiar sign, "Entertainment," will be 
remembered by many of the older citizens. Here he died in 
1S74, at an advanced age. Elijah lived and died in the brick 
house on the hill above Jonestown. Among his children were 
Isaac W., who built the McGregor row on Main street in Mon- 
ongahela City, and who is now a successful wool dealer in 
Washington, Pa. His son James married Caroline, daughter 
of the late Abram Yan Yoorhis. James died some years ago 
and his widow, with his children, are living near Ginger Hill. 
Jesse, another son of Wm. Jones, lived and died on a part of 
the old Homestead. William still owns the greater part of the 
original homestead, but lives in Monongahela City. 

Samuel Jones, the remaining son of William Jones the older, 
was born on the homestead in 1800. He went to the "Forks 
of Yough " in 1821 and settled on the farm purchased by his 
father for him from Peter Shepler. Samuel resided on this 
farm until his death in June, 1867. He was killed by a log 
rolling over him. In 1826 he married Jane Fell, daughter of 
Benjamin Fell, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county. 
The wedding took place at the Fell mansion, which consisted 
of a log cabin of primitive style. Mr. Fell was very positive 
that at this cabin was organized the tirst Methodist class west 
of the mountains. Through his influence was erected the old 
log church which formerly stood where the present stone 
church, known as Fell's church, is situated, about two miles 
from Webster. Samuel Jones had by his first wife four chil- 
dren. Mary married Dr. J. P. Watson, and are both dead, 
leaving no children. William, on the 8th day of February, 
1850, married Sarah, daughter of the well known Captain 
Joseph Shepler. They have three children. Their son, 
Joseph S., is a member of the banking firm of S. F. Jones & 
Co., of Bellevernon, Pa., and married Miss Lizzie Mustard and 



158 The Old and New Monongahela. 

resides in Bellevernon, Samuel married Miss Ann Murphy 
and resides in North Bellevernon. He is a member of the 
Bellevernon Saw and Planing Mill Co. The only daughter 
of William and Sarah Jones is Ella, who married Mr. Sears of 
Florida and resides in North Bellevernon. His father gave 
William the old Fell farm which was purchased at Orphans' 
court sale. On this farm he lived until he moved to North 
Bellevernon, where he is at this time a member of the banking 
house of S. F. Jones & Co. His son, S. F. Jones, married 
Sallie Thomas in 1861. They have no children. His father 
gave him the farm near Bellevernon known in olden times as 
the farm on which Rev. David Smith resided while he was 
pastor of Rehoboth church, and where he died in 1803. He 
was the father of Rev. Joseph Smith, author of the book ' ' Old 
Redstone." The old house has given place to aline brick, 
erected by S. F. Jones. 

He sold this farm to Michael F. Cook, grandson of Col. Ed- 
ward Cook, and removed to Bellevernon in 1872, where he be- 
came a member of the banking house of S. F. Jones & Co., 
formed in 1872. At this date, 1893, he has an interest in the 
Bellevernon Heat and Light Company, of which he is Superin- 
tendent. 

James S., the remaining son of Samuel Jones by his first 
wife, married Miss Ann Finley, daughter of the late Wm. 
Finley, and grand daughter of Rev. James Finley, who was the 
first pastor of Rehoboth Church. They have no children. 
James served through the late war and died in Washington, D. 
C, in about 1891. 

Samuel Jones' second wife was Miss Mary, daughter of the 
late Benjamin Thomas, of Rostraver, in the vicinity of the town 
of Webster, Pa. By her he had eight children. Elizabeth 
married John M. Bake as her first husband, now deceased. 
Her second husband is Thomas Hagerty, who now lives on 
Cook's run, near Fayette City, Pa. Malissa married Lowry 
Venable, and resides in the west. Rettie married Jonathan 
Rhodes. She died years ago. in Ohio. Amanda married 



The Old and New MonongaJiela. 159 

Thf)mas C. Doiighiss, and resides in Pittsburgh. Homer mar- 
ried Jennie McAlpiu, of Gibsonton Mills. They reside in Belle- 
vernon, Pa. Luther married Sallie Venable, and resides near 
Bellevernon. John married a daughter of D. V . Hpusman, 
and still resides on part of the homestead. Celia, the remain- 
ing daughter, is unmarried and lives with her aged mother in 
the homestead in Rostraver. 

Samuel Jones, at his death, was the largest landholder in 
Rostraver township, and the distribution of his estate gave each 
of his children a fair patrimony. He was a man of warm feel- 
ing and ardent sympathies. Energetic in business, he was no 
less so in his church. He was long a member of the Methodist 
E. Church, held his membership at Fells, in the graveyard of 
which his remains are interred. He gave largely of his means 
and labor in erecting the church building in Webster. 

Rosa, daughter of William Jones the older, married Hull 
Williams, who lived for many years in the'neighborhood of 
the Dutch meeting house near Ginger hill, in Washington 
county, Pa. They are both dead. Rebecca married Andrew 
Mills. Both are dead many years. Ann married John 
Hess, who lived near what is called Edward's chapel, on the 
pike, above Ginger hill. They are both dead — John died 
some years ago, and his wife June 30th, 1889. Ruth never 
married, and died at an advanced age in Monongahela City. 
Delilah married James Mills. Both are dead. James Mills 
was a well known local preacher in the M. E. church, and a 
business man generally. He lived in the town of Williams- 
port early as 1828, in Washington, Pa., on a farm near lock 
No. 4, lately owned by Mrs. John Ryan, and on which he laid 
a prospective town called Lockport, which proved a failure. 
For years prior to his death he carried on business in Pitts- 
burgh, where he died. He was a man of more than ordinary 
ability. His sermons were Scriptural and delivered in a plain 
though fervent manner. His wife died not many years since 
in Pittsburgh. They had quite a number of children. A. B. 
Mills, the oldest son, graduated at Washington college in 1846. 



100 The Old and New Moiiongahela. 

After many years in business he died in Philadelphia in 1888. 
James R. , another son, is now one of the shining lights in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Some years ago he was the 
recipient of the degree of 1). D., which he deservedly bears 
with his accustomed modesty. Mary, daughter of James 
Mills, married a Mr. Dolby, and resides on Craig street, Pitts- 
burgh. Mary, the remaining daughter of William Jones, 
married Joseph Alexander, of whom we will write in another 
place. 

The Alexander Family. 

Joseph Alexander was born on Ten Mile Creek, in Washing- 
ton county. Pa., on the first day of April, 1795, and died in 
Monongahela City June 20, 1871. When Joseph was quite 
young his father immigrated to Barnesville, Ohio, where he 
grew up to manhood. His father, Joseph Alexander, was born 
July 9, 1765, and died June 9, 1847, at his residence in Ohio. 
He was the son of Isaac Alexander, who was born December 
16, 1716 ; he was the son of Elias Alexander, who was born in 
1680, and died in 1780. Joseph, the subject of this sketch, 
was one of a large family. His brother James resided in 
Monongahela City some fifty years ago, and will be recollected 
by many of the older citizens as having kept a store in the 
McGrew room just above the present Odd Fellows building. 
He died in 1860, at Fort Gibson, Louisiana. A sister Han- 
nah married Benjamin Thomas, of Rostraver township, West- 
moreland county ; both are deceased. The children of Benja- 
min and Hannah Thomas were Elijah, Rosa Ann, Mary, 
Joseph B., Thomas Hudson, Harriet, Westley Ford, A^an R., 
and James. Rosa Ann married James Davidson and died in 
Bellevernon August 20, 1887. ' 

Mks. Rosanna Davidson. 

The Bellevernon Enterprise oi August 27, 1887, contains the 
following articles on her death: 

Died, on Saturday evening, August 20, 1887, at her late resi- 



The Old and Nero Monongahela. 161 

denee in Bellevenion, Mrs. Rosanna, wife of Rev. James Dav- 
idson. The deceased was the daughter of the late Benjamin 
Thomas, of Rostraver township. Her mother was an Alexan- 
der, sister of the late Joseph Alexander, of Monongahela City, 
who was the father of AV". J. and Jas. S. Alexander, of the 
same city. The deceased was born September 17, 1816, on 
the old Thomas homestead, in the above named township, now 
owned by John Rankin. She was married to James Davidson 
Oct. 27, 1836, at the old homestead, by the Rev. Geo. McCasky. 
She joined the Methodist E. Church at Fells, in 1828, being 
in her twelfth year, under the ministry of the Rev. John Wat- 
terman. She, with her husband, united with the church of 
Bellevenion in 1850, whilst in charge of Rev. J. F. ISessly. 
She leaves a husband, two sons and nine daughters; one daugh- 
ter, Mary, passed into the beyond on the 24:th day of the same 
month just 46 years ago. Her nine loving daughters were all 
with her in her last days. The sons, on account of the sickness 
of the one and the great distance from his home of the other, 
were not able to be present during her last illness, but Robert, 
her youngest son, was present at the funeral. The deceased 
was truly one of God's own children; the community will bear 
witness to this fact. Her walk and conversation gave rich 
fruits of a life of over sixty years devoted to Christ. Only on 
account of sickness was her seat vacant in the house of God. 
She will be missed by her husband, with whom she had for 
over fifty years shared the troubles and pleasures of life; she 
will be missed in the home circle, where so long by exam])le 
and precept she exemplified the truth of the Christian religion; 
she will be missed in the church of which she had been a de- 
voted meuiljcr for nearly sixty years; she will be missed by 
the community to which she was ever ready to grant acts of 
charity and kind sympathy; but she has not missed the crown 
which was laid up for her in glory. 

Servant of God. well done I 

Thy glorious warfare's past. 
The battle's fought, the race is won. 

And thou art crowned at last. 



1<32 The Old and Nnr Moiunninhehi. 

MOTHER DEAD. 

Is she really dead { Has her spirit winged its flight to the 
glorious land ^ And what is death! Are some of the many 
thoughts that passed in quick succession through our mind as 
we stood at the death bed of our beloved mother-in-law on last 
Saturday afternoon, and gazed for the last time on her face 
while living. For 22 hours she had not changed her position, 
and as her life ebbed away she just fell asleep on the bosom 
of the Saviour, whom she had for 59 years loved and served. 

On July Ith she sat at the table for the last time. She had 
to be helped, but she wanted to be where her children w^ere. 
During her sickness she suffered much, yet there was no com- 
plaining, no murmuring, and when she realized that the master 
had called her to come home, she was prepared. Death had no 
terrors, as she had communed constantly with her maker 
she was ready to say, 

'•My home, heiicefortli, is in the skies ; 
Earth, sea, and siiu, adieu. 
AU heaven's enfol.ded to my eyrs, 
1 have no sight for you." 

All realized that death would come, but we were not pre- 
pared to meet it. When the last silent breath had been drawn, 
and we knew she had gone, then, and not till then did the 
shock come. xVll her children were present but one, who hav- 
ing gone to Los Angeles, Cal., could not come. Before death 
came she could not speak or recognize any one. Loving hands 
administered to her wants and wishes as long as they could, 
and on Monday morning she was laid to rest in the cemetery. 
She leaves eleven children and an aged husband to mourn 

her loss. 

01 where .-ihaU human grief be stilled 

And joy for pain he given, 
Where dwells tlie sunshine of a love 

In which the soul may always rove? 
A sweet voice answered — Heaven. 

The Pittsburgh ('hrist/dji Advocate has the following notice 
of Mother Davidson's death, written Ijy her pastor : 



The Old and New Monongahela . 1G3 

She began very early in life to follow Christ, the 
result of which was that she became rooted and grounded 
in the Christian faith. Her steadfastness in the Apostles' 
doctrine grew with increasing years. She could say with 
Paul, "This one thing I do.'' She allowed nothing of a 
worldly character to interpose between her and Christian duty. 
Her seat in the house of God was seldom vacant. The word 
of Christ came to her not in word only, but in transforming 
power. The service of God was her chief joy. A little less 
than a year ago we met at the home of brother and sister 
Davidson to celebrate their golden wedding, little thinking 
that the bride of the occasion would so soon be enfolded in the 
embrace of death. She reared a large family of children, and 
had the satisfaction of knowing ere she passed away that they 
were in the fold of Christ. Her funeral was largely attended. 
Her last hours were spent in peaceful sleep ; and when the 
supr-eme moment came her spirit gently took its flight to the 
regions of the immortals. She was not, for God had taken 
her. " Signed G. A. Sheets. 

Mary, another daughter of Benjamin Thomas, married 
Samuel Jones, as we have already stated. Harriet is the 
widow of Wm. Bealer and lives in West Newton. Thomas 
Hudson is a resident of Braddock, his wife having died some 
years ago. James married a Miss Winters, served in the army 
in the late war, and died soon after his discharge. Joseph re- 
sides in Evansvilie, Indiana ; Elijah lives in Iowa ; Van R. 
was in the late war and now resides in Webster ; Westley Ford 
has long been a resident of San Francisco, California. Han- 
nah married Dr." J. C. Gamble, had long resided in Kansas, 
and whilst on a visit to Pennsylvania, died at the house of 
Rev. James Davidson in Bellevernon, August 4, 1885. 

Rose, another sister of Jos. Alexander, married John Mosely 
— these were the parents of Westley B. Mosely, who died in 
1876, and was a well known business man of the valley. Mrs. 
Mosely, the widow, is a daugliter of the late Dr. S. M. King, 
of whom we have already written. She resides in Allcirhenv. 



164 The Old and N^ew MoiumgahcJa. 

Joseph Alexander was married to Marj Jones, daughter of 
William Jones the older, March 8th, 1819, by the Rev. John 
White, father of Judge J. W. F. White, now on the bench in 
Pittsburgh. Mrs. Alexander died at her home in Mononga- 
hela City, August IStli, 1856. Immediately after his marriage 
Joseph Alexander with his bride moved to a farm in Rostraver 
township, Westmoreland county, adjoining the farms of 
Samuel Jones and Bej^aminJIhpmas. The farm is now owned 
by D. P. Housman. The old log house has given place to a 
beautiful frame. The old barn still remains. Father Jones 
was on a visit to Joseph Alexander on the Sabbath morning 
during which the Marquis de Lafayette passed through the 
Forks, May 29th, 1825. Father Jones was very strict in his 
observance of the Sabbath, but in this instance yielded to the 
pressure and walked over the hill to take a look at the Marquis. 
Mr. Alexander, in the spring of 1828, sold his farm to Samuel 
Jones and removed to Williamsport, now Monongahela City, 
and entered into partnership with James Mills in the mercan- 
tile business. His son, William J., was born on the farm 
April 16th, 1820; Rose Ann, now Mrs. Adams, and Eliza, now 
Mrs. Herron, were also born on the same farm. 

The three-storied brick house on Main street, above Church 
alley, owned by W. J. Markell, stands now on the site of the 
house in which Mills & Alexander did business. In the spring 
of 1829, the partnership with Mills being dissolved, Alexander 
removed to Cookstown, now Fayette City, and there carried on 
a successful mercantile business until the spring of 1831, when 
he returned to Williamsport, and entered into a partnership 
with Jamefe McCauley to conduct a general mercantile business. 
The building occupied by them was destrt^yed by fire in 1855, 
and the site is now covered by the three-story brick building 
near the corner of Main and Second streets. The last partner- 
ship proving disastrous to Mr. Alexander, it was dissolved in 
about one year, and the business carried on by Mr. Alexander. 
Not long after this date McCauley removed to Jacksonville, 
Illinois, where he soon afterwards died. He was a gunsmith 



The Old and Neim Monongahela. 165 

by trade. He built and occupied until his removal west the 
house lately owned by Hon. G. Y. Lawrence, on the corner of 
Main and Fifth streets. During this last partnership Alexan- 
der occupied the house on Second street, where now the brick 
building of Henry Sutman stands. In 1828-29 he lived in the 
old brick house near the old Presbyterian church on Coal street, 
owned and occupied for many years by the late Michael Johe. 
In this house his son James S. was born. In 1832 he pur- 
chased from John W. Hailman the property on Main street, 
below Second street, on which the McGregor block now stands. 
On this property his storerooms and dwelling were erected, and 
.in which he died June 20, 1871, after having occupied it nearly 
forty years. He continued the business alone from 1832 to 
1843, when the firm of Alexander & Son was organized by 
taking into the business his son William J. Alexander. This 
firm continued until September, 1850 when it was reorganized 
with the same partners under the style of Alexander & Co., 
which still exists. Subsequently James S. Alexander w^as taken 
into the firm, and at a* later date Joseph A. Herroii was added. 
This has long been considered one of the most solid banking 
houses in Western Pennsylvania, enjoying the confidence of 
every class of people. After the death of Joseph Alexander 
the real estate referred to was sold to Isaac W. Jones. During 
his ownership the buildings erected by Alexander were burned, 
but shortly afterwards re-built by Jones, and subsequently sold 
to Will McGregor, who is the present owner. 

Death of William Wickekham, in 1870. 
fFioni Daily lieiinblicaii.] 

William Wickerham, Esq., died in (Carroll township in 1870 
of general decline of age. His interment took place on Sun- 
day, and assembled one of the largest funerals ever known 
in the valley. 

The ancestry of the family runs back to Germany, from 
which country Peter Wickerham came to Pennsylvania colony 
and settled in Chester county. The second son, Adam, came 
1 ; '. 



1()6 The Old and Neio Monongahela. 

to this place, took up a farm, the boundary being from the 
City Hotel out as far as Kearney's and down to the line of 
Dry run. The old Wickerham mansion was situated on the 
river bank, but the site has long ago crumbled into the river. 
Some of the timbers of the old house were used in building 
the Talbot cottage. Adam Wickerham laid out his farm into 
a town called Georgetown, the upper part of the place, owned 
by the Parkison's, being called Parkison's ferry. The two 
were merged by act of Assembly, in 1833, and called 
Williamsport. 

Adam Wickerham had four children: a son George, who 
was drowned at the age of 22 in the Monongahela; Mary, who 
married Andrew B. Chess, who died in 1857; William, the 
subject of this notice, who was born in 1809; and Sarah, relict 
of John Bausman, Esq., late of Washington, Pa., and one of 
the most accomplished journalists of the state. 

Mr. Wickerham moved to his farm in Carroll about 40 years 
before his death, where he had continuously lived ever since. 
Before he went to the farm he kept store for awhile in a build- 
ing which stood near the pike, above alderman William's 
office. He was married three times: to Nancy, sister of 
Captain Robert Phillips; to Mrs. Mary L. Jones, of Ohio, in 
1862, who died in 1876; and to Mrs. Elizabeth Radcliffe, of 
Washington, who yet survives him. 

Mr. Wickerham' s family consisted of Adam, who is married 
and now lives in Carroll; David H., who died in 1838; James 
S., married and now living near Beallsville; Eliza Jane, wife 
of Noah Grant, Esq. ; William Henry Harrison, married and 
living in Carroll; Emeline Allen, who died in 1856; Maggie, 
now the wife of Clinton Teeple; Mary Chess, wife of Lemon 
Williams, now dead; Albert Gallatin, living on the home farm; 
Alexander Wilson, married and living in East Bethlehem; and 
John Dewitt, married and living on the home place. All 
honorable men and women, who bear the family name with 
credit to themselves. 

The deceased was long a consistent member of the Methodist 



The Old and New Mo)U)n<j<iJn4(i. 107 

Episcopal Cliiircli of this city. In this comniunitj, to his 
general character as a man, we need hardly refer. We sincerely 
believe no man lives whom he ever wronged out of a penny; 
no man lives who ever knew him to do a mean thing, or an act 
to stain a long record of honesty, probity and truth. He was 
careful in business and gave each one of his sons and daughters 
a home. He was hospitable, and there be few people in this 
neighborhood, young or old, who have not enjoyed the hospi- 
tality of his hearthstone. No person in all this valley has 
been kinder to the poor. To sum it up, William Wickerham 
lived the life of a good man, an honest man and a Christian. 

His public spirit was unbounded. No matter what society 
or occasion asked for contribution, his basket and purse were 
both ready; he loved to attend public demonstrations. The 
Fourth of July his patriotism made him regard as sacred; 
Thanksgiving day his religion taught him to venerate; Decora- 
tion day his devotion to country made one of the holiest days 
(»f all the year. 

The military spirit was strong in this family from its landing 
on our shores. The grandfather and uncle as young men went 
to Kentucky and volunteered in the Indian wars. He used to 
relate stories of tliat war as told him by his father. The boys 
had taken up 1,200 acres of land in Kentucky, and ])lanted it 
to corn and ])uni])kins, when the Indians drove them back. 
Adam and Peter went over one day for some pumpkins, and 
having gathered a sackful, were about to return, when Peter 
saw an Indian: he gave the alarm and ran to the river, but 
Adam, thinking it only a joke, wiis soon confronted by Mr. 
Injun, and no chance of escape. Being a very strong man, he 
slung the sack of s(|uash at the red man and squashed him. 

During the Whiskey Insurrection, the grandfather, Adam, 
was arrested by one of the deputy marshals, and escaped being 
"'sent over" as a |)risoner by ])laying idiot. To every question 
asked, he answered: -'Ah-ha-a, "" so that the officer said, "Let 
this man go, he is a fool."" The archives of the Wickerham 
faniilv are full of incidents of frontier life. 



168 The Old and Nern Monongahela. 

When the rebellion broke out Mr. Wickerham gave three 
of his boys to the right side; and when the rebels advanced to 
Antietam, he, himself, sixty years of age, shouldered his musket 
and vi^ent, under Capt. Wm. J. Alexander, to the front as a 
soldier of the 18th Pennsylvania Militia. In early life he was 
a member of Jackson Guards, under Capt. Sam. Morgan. 

Rev. Dr. Bracken delivered a very excellent address at the 
funeral; and as the long cortage followed to his grave all that 
was left of this venerable man, the universal sentiment of the 
occasion was: — " He was a good man — may his soul abide in 
peace." 

Death of Mr. John King, in 1881. 

Mr. King was born in 1791 in New Jersey. His father, 
Courtland King, moved to a farm near Library, in Allegheny 
county, crossing the Monongahela river at Elizabeth when 
John was one year old, and on his birthday in 1792. The 
father lived upon and died on that farm in his 62d year. Of 
the older family, all died some time ago, but John, the subject 
of this sketch, a brother named Elijah who lives in Indianapo- 
lis, and Isaac, who lives near Library. 

John King lived with his parents till he was 28 years of age, 
when he married Miss Jane Stewart, and went to house keep- 
ing near his father^ s, in Jefferson township. The Stewart 
family was one of the most influential in that neighborhood. 
Mrs. King's father was active in the whiskey insurrection, and 
was siezed and taken to Little York, then the seat of govern- 
ment, for trial, but was included in the compromise pardon 
and returned to his home rejoicing that the disturbance was 
settled, and a better basis of taxation secured to his people. 
Mr. King removed with his family to Forward township, having 
bought the farm which he still owned at his death from Mr. 
John Storer, May, 1836. He lived there until 1873, when he 
moved to the house in Central Block, where the family now 
lives. This family consisted rf)f Dr. James Stewart, now of 
rittsburgh; Mary L., who died in 1877; Dr. William H., of 



The Old and Mw Monongahda. 169 

this city; John, of Spring Yalley, Minn.; Dr. Courtland, of 
rittsbnrgh; Jane, wife of James Moore, who died in 1854; 
Dr. Calvin, of Pittsburgh; Samuel J., of Forward township; 
Ilobort, Harvey and an infant child, all dead; Dr. Milton S., 
of Pittsburgh; and Allie M., who married Mr. Devore. Of 
these sons, one is a farmer, one a merchant, and five are sur- 
geon dentists of acknowledged ability and reputation. 

Mr. King was a reader and a thinker; in early life a Whig, 
he left that party when it yielded its homage to a solid south 
on the slavery question; then an abolitionist. He was one of 
three voters in his district who ballotted for Birney, and since 
then a Republican. He was a Baptist, and in his opinion was 
rigid and unyielding, and he clung to his faith with a justifiable 
denominational pride, having at the same time a large measure 
of Christian love and charity which knew no boundary save the 
brotherhood of mankind. 

Ninety years — almost the life of the nation I He has lived 
under every President of the United States, and has voted at 
every Presidential election since Madison. There have been 
IS Governors of Pennsylvania elected since he was born, all 
now dead but two. When he was born Frederick the Great 
had just died; Benjamin Franklin's grave was not yet green; 
the Whiskey Insurrection was aflame; Napoleon was born and 
was entombed, all within Mr. King's recollection. He was 
^'o years of age when Victoria ascended the throne of England; 
He was 24 when Jackson fought Packenham at New Orleans; 
he has read in the papers the black-lined columns which an- 
nounced the death of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, 
Monroe, Adams (John Quincy), Jackson, YanBuren, Harrison, 
Tyler, Polk, Taylor, Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan, Lincoln and 
Johnson. He has lived to see the successful issue of our three 
wars. When he was born neither steamboat, nor telegraph, 
nor railroad, nor photograph had been invented, and a daily 
paper, an envelope, a postage stamp, a steel pen, were unknown. 
He has been counted in every census of the United States, and 
has seen his country grow from three (3,929,217) to nearly 
fifty millions of people. — Monongahela Bepnhlican. 



170 Tht Old and New Monongahda. 

Death of Dr. William H. King. 
IFrom the Monongahela Rcpuhlican.^ 

About 10 o'clock on Saturday evening, July 16th, 1892, Dr. 
William H. King, the well known dental surgeon of this city, 
died at his home in his TOtli year. He had been ill but a few 
days. William H. King was born on the farm in Jefferson 
township, Allegheny county, Pa., April I7t,h, 1823, in what 
is now the centre of the West Elizabeth gas and oil field. He 
spent the first 14 years of his life there, and was playmate and 
schoolmate with the late James P. Shepler. He was the third 
child of John and Jane King, there being ten sons and three 
daughters. Six of the family yet live: Mrs. A. K. Devore, 
Williamson, Kansas; Dr. Courtland King, Uniontown; Dr. J. 
S. Calvin, and Dr. M. S., of Pittsburgh, and John King, of 
Spring Valley, Minn. 

The family moved from Jeft'erson to Forward township, over 
the river, where the boys and girls mingled with Monongahela 
young folks, and grew up part and parcel of our local society. 
William stayed on the farm till he was 21 years of age, when 
he attended lectures at the Ohio College of Dentistry, Cincin- 
nati, where he took an honorary degree. He practised 
dentistry in Lancaster, Ohio, for a number of years, then came 
to the home place, where he was living when the war broke out. 

He enlisted in Co. F, 155tli Pa. vols., under Captain John 
Markell, August 22d, 1862, in which regiment he served with 
distinction, being twice promoted for bravery, once from the 
ranks at the request of General Allebaugh, and once by Gen- 
eral Pearson. He was mustered out as first lieutenant at the 
close of the war. 

Dr. King, as oflicer of the skirmish line, had advanced with 
the troops opposite to Appomattox Court House when the flag J 
of truce came in, and so he saw the end of tiie war, and 
received one of the surrender flags. His record as a soldier is 
a rich legacy left to his family, and as he rests in his coffin 
with the bronze brown badge of the Grand Army on his pulse- 



Tlie Old and Neiv Monongahda. ' 171 

loss breast, it covers a heart that never faltered in war or in 
peace, in devotion to the tlag, to country, to citizenship. His 
regard for loyaltj could brook no excuse. Recently when the 
Homestead trouble began, his sympathy with the mill men was 
pronounced, but as soon as they overstepped the law he was 
instantly changed to the other side. When some suggested 
that the militia would run before a Winchester rifle, his indig- 
nation broke forth, saying, "What! would they run with the 
blue on? No, no I If they did I would be willing to help 
shoot them down myself.'' He was loyal to the blue. 

In politics Dr. King was republican, in religious inclinations 
he favored the Baptist belief; as a citizen progressive, public 
spirited and modern. His ideas as to advanced education 
found expression in the new school building and the excellent 
schools then established. He was once in councils, and was 
assistant Burgess of the town in 1872. After the war he lo- 
cated in this city in the practice of dentistry, being quite 
successful always. He was married in Pittsburgh to Miss Jane 
Carpenter, May 4th, 1871, to whom, and to his only daughter, 
Jane, the sympathy of many warm friends go out in sincerity 
in this hour of shadow. 

I3r. King was a genial, pleasant man; fond of humor, cheer- 
ful and contented: he hated sham, despised bigotry, and as a 
general thing was for the under dog in a fight — ready to help 
a man up, willing to befriend the weak, anxious to see justice 
done; and in a quiet way, without ostentation or parade, to do 
his own duty as he understood it. 

We extract from the Elizabeth Herald of June 7, 1889, the 
following sketch of 

John E. Shaffer, M. D. 

John Eckert Shaffer was born at Washington, Pa., February 
22, 1821, and died May 31, 1889, at his home in Elizabeth, 
Pa. He was a son of John and Charlotte Shaffer, two worthy 
people, and was one of a family of ten children, they being : 



172 The Old and Neio Mo„>m</ahel(i. 

William, deceased ; Anna Charlotte Weiricli, deceased ; Alex- 
ander Swaney, deceased ; Susan E. McCaskey, of Washington, 
Fa. ; Rev. Jacob S. Shaffer, of Allegheny, Pa. ; Mrs. Mary 
McElhinney, of Fairfield, Iowa; Mrs. Elizabeth Coffin, of 
Fairfield, Iowa ; Christian S. Shaffer, of Des Moines, Iowa ; 
Dr. J. M. Shaffer, of Keokuk, Iowa. 

Dr. Shaffer was a self-made man. His parents, who were 
in moderate circumstances, aided him in getting through Wash- 
ington College, at which institution he was graduated in 1840. 
He began the study of law, and soon after his graduation went 
to Preston county, Va. , where he was admitted to the bar in 
1842. This profession does not seem to have been congenial, 
for we find him soon reading medicine, and meanwhile teach- 
ing school at Kingwood, Va., for a livelihood. He was grad- 
uated from the medical department of the University of Penn- 
sylvania, at Philadelphia, April 4, 1845. His preceptor in his 
medical studies was Dr. F. Julius LeMoyne, of Washington, 
Pa., of national fame as an Abolition leader, and of world- / 
wide repute as the builder of the first crematory for disposing / 
of the dead in the United States. \ 

Dr. Shaffer came to Elizabeth December 10, 1845, and i 
began the practice of medicine. His residence here has been 
continuous ever since that, and at his death he was the oldest \ 
practitioner of medicine in the Monongahela valley, his mantle ^ 
now falling on the shoulders of Dr. J. S. VanVoorhis, of / 
Bellevernon. His practice in the early days took him over a / 
large extent of country, and from this fact added to his prom- | 
inence in every public movement, he was one of the most 
widely known men, not only in his own community, but in 
the Monongahela valley. 

He was married March 26, 184G, to Miss Elizabeth S. 
Holmes, daughter of Rev. George S. Holmes, and 
sister of Dr. C. A. Holmes, the well known Methodist 
Episcopal divine. His wife passed on before him to the 
other world July 2, 1880. Tliey had eight children, 
and it is a remarkable fact that these have all lived to grow to 



The Old and New Monongaliela. 173 

maturity, and all now have families of their own save one. 
They are : Mary H. Kerbey, of Homestead, Fa. ; John S. 
Shaffer, of Homestead; Dr. P. T. B. Shaffer, of Elizabeth; 
Mrs. Jennie Linn Jack, of Pittsburgh; Mrs. Annie Le Moyne 
Bower, of Homestead; Mrs. Susan E. Plummer, of Emsworth, 
Pa.; Dr. Charles Holmes Shaffer, of Elizabeth; Miss Elizabeth 
L. Shaffer, of Elizabeth. There are eighteen grandchildren 
and one great-grandchild living, and have never been any 
deaths among the Doctor's descendants. 

Dr. Shaffer will be greatly missed in this community. He 
has been prominently identified with every public movement in 
the community for many years. He was a man of most posi- 
tive convictions, and had the courage of his convictions at all 
times. He was not afraid of being on the unpopular side of 
any question, and if he thought he was right, would manfully 
uphold his opinions in the face of any amount of opposition. 
He was intensely fond of controversy, and his intimate friends 
knew that he would often take the contrary side of a question 
for the sake of argument. But in matters right and of princi- 
ple, as he saw them, he was firm as a rock. 

He was one of the most methodical of men, and ordered his 
daily walk by a system which was accuracy itself. During all 
the many years that he lived in Elizabeth he kept a daily 
record of conditions and events which has grown to be of 
almost incalculable value. This included a record of the state 
of the weather, temperature taken three times each day and the 
highest and lowest noted, rainfall and snow, any important 
events transpiring in the community, a record of all deaths in 
the town and vicinity, the ages of all inhabitants of advanced 
years, and a host of other things. The Herald acknowledges 
a great debt of gratitude for constant access to these records, 
and the aid they have been in making up the weekly record of 
this publication. Requests for information were reaching the 
Doctor almost constantly from various sources, and they 
always met a courteous, ready response with the information 
desired, if it was in his power to give it. It is to be hoped 



174 The Old and New Monongaliela. 

that this valuable record will not be allowed to stop with 
his death. 

The Doctor was a frequent contributor to the local press, and 
his trenchant style and entertaining descriptive powers are 
familiar to readers of the Herald. His "Reminiscences of 
Forty Years in Elizabeth/' published in installments in this 
paper a few years ago, attracted particular attention. He left 
an interesting autobiography in manuscript, which will proba- 
bly be published. He was a great reader of the papers, and 
kept fully posted on events of the day. He was a great 
admirer of the New York TrUnvnr^ having read it daily from 
the time of Horace Greeley, whom he regarded as one of the 
greatest men this country ever produced. It is illustrative of 
his methodical habits to state that he had every daily issue of 
the paper above named carefully filed away where it could be 
had immediately if wanted. His file runs back to a period be- 
fore the war. He likewise never destroyed a letter, and in his 
long and active career accumulated a vast collection of letters, 
all of which are carefully filed away. 

For nearly a quarter of a century the Doctor was postmaster 
of Elizabeth, having been appointed first by President Lincoln. 
He held the office as long as he desired, and then resigned 
voluntarily. During the war he was in the front for a time as 
a volunteer surgeon. He filled at various times positions of 
honor and trust in the borough, among them, burgess, council- 
man and school director, and he took a deep interest in all 
public matters, being an earnest and active republican from the 
foundation of the party. He was a warm personal friend of 
Hon. James G. Blaine from boyhood, and when in Elizabeth, 
Mr. Blaine has always made Dr. Shaft'er's house his stopping 
place, since the breaking up of Mr. Blaine's mother's home 
here. The family received a telegram of condolence from the 
secretary of state, who was unable to attend the funeral. 

The following practitioners of medicine were students in Dr. 
Shaffer's otiice while pursuing their studies: Samuel W. 
McCune, M. D., of Winchester, Va. ; George S. Holmes, M. 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 175 

D., deceased; John S. Woods, M. D., of Kansas City, Mo.; 
J. A. Craighead, M. D., of Pittsburgh, Pa.; John N. McCune, 
M. D., of Suterville, Pa.; P. T. B. Shaffer, M. D., and 
Charles H. Shaffer, M. D., of Elizabeth. 

In his religious life the Doctor was undemonstrative, but 
earnest and faithful. He became a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church under the ministry of Rev. McCready, about 
the year 1858, and continued in that relation up to the time 
of his death, partaking of the Lord's Supper at its altar 
the Sabbath before he was called from earth. He was almost 
constantly an office bearer in the church, and was always a lib- 
eral supporter of it. He was in a marked degree faithful in 
his attendance at the preaching of the word, and all the meet- 
ings which his official relation to the church entailed, though 
this was often at a personal sacrifice of the time of a very busy 
man. He was warmly devoted to the denomination of his 
his choice, but had nothing of narrowness or sectarian bigotry 
about him, having contributed to the erection of every church 
edifice erected since his settlement in Elizabeth. He was a 
Bible scholar of rare attainments, and read the sacred volume 
through scores of times, having made it his custom for many 
years to read it through at least once each year. He read his tes- 
tament both in our authorized version and in the original Greek, 
and was seldom at fault in a scripture quotation or reference. 
He said to a friend a few days before his death that he believed 
every word of the Bible, that Jesus Christ came into the world, 
the Son of God, to save sinners, and he accepted him as his 
Saviour. 

The Doctor was always a ready and liberal giver to all worthy 
objects, though much of his giving was unobtrusive, and never 
came to the light of publicity. He was a genial man, and even 
in his last days, when he knew that death was sure to come 
soon, and almost certain to come suddenly, he never lost his 
cheerfulness, but had a pleasant word or joke for every friend. 
He was peculiarly fond of children, and was never too busy to 
bestow some attention on the little ones. Was there one in 



176 The Old and New Monongahela. 

town, old enough to know anything, who was not personally 
acquainted with the good old doctor ? Was there one to whom 
he had not at some time given a bite of the ever present stick 
of licorice ? We doubt it, for it was one of the commonest 
sights in our streets to see him surrounded by a group of little 
folks, and seemingly to enter fully into their youthful joys. 

He was thrown from his gig July 28th, 1878, and received 
injuries from which he never fully recovered, his heart and 
bladder trouble being readily traceable to this injury. He suf- 
fered severely for some years before his death, his chief afflic- 
tion was a bladder affection, the irritation and nervousness 
growing from which induced a heart trouble, manifesting itself 
by sudden failure of the organ. He fully expected to die just 
as he did, suddenly, and awaited the event with a calmness 
which was heroic. His funeral on Monday, with services in 
the M. E. Church, was one of the largest ever known here, the 
large auditorium of the church being wholly inadequte to con- 
tain the large crowd which, notwithstanding the downpour of 
rain, assembled from all the country around, to pay their last 
tribute of respect. The impressive services were conducted by 
Rev. J. J. Hill, pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. D. H. 
Pollock, pastor of the U, P. Church, and Rev. C. A. Holmes of 
Pittsburgh. In accordance with the Doctor's wish, his remains 
were carried to the cemetery, and the whole concourse walked. 
He was laid to rest in Elizabeth cemetery, his brethren of the 
Odd Fellows, of which order he was for many years a member, 
bearing his body to the tomb. 

The Walker Family. 

In the year 1785 Samuel Walker, with his wife Elizabeth 
and a family of children, emigrated from Wilmington, Dela- 
ware to Virginia Court House, situate on the west side of the 
Monongahela river, at McFarland's Ferry, about two miles 
above Elizabeth. Court had been held at this place from 1777 
to 1781, while this region was still under the jurisdiction of 
Virginia. 



The Old and New Monongaliela. 177 

Walker was of Irish extraction, but was born in Delaware, 
where he had served a number of terms in the Legislature 
before moving to the west. In 1768 he married Elizabeth 
Springer, the granddaughter of Carl Christopher Springer, a 
\ Swedish nobleman of prominence in the history of Wilming- 
LJtoii, Delaware. In his new home Walker became a farmer 
and also operated the ferry at that place, where, in November, 
1794, he ferried Gen. Morgan's army, which had been sent to 
suppress the whiskey insurrection, across the river. Shortly 
after this date his son. Major John Walker, came to Elizabeth, 
which had been laid out in 1787, by Stephen Bayard, where 
he, John Walker, married in 1797, Diana, daughter of Robert 
and Mary (Davidson) Craighead, and engaged in boatbuilding, 
which was then in its infancy, but was destined in a few years 
to make the town famous. In 1801 Major John Walker, with 
a company of farmers, built the schooner " Monongahela 
Farmer," a vessel of 200 tons. It was loaded with flour, 
whiskey, &c., and floated to New Orleans, where the vessel 
and cargo were sold. This was the first sea-going vessel built 
west of the Allegheny mountains. 

In 1802 the brig Ann Jane of 450 tons was built here for 
the Messrs. McFarlane, merchants. Major Walker loaded her 
with flour and whiskey and sailed her via New Orleans to New 
York, where he disposed of both brig and cargo. The quad- 
rant used by him on this voyage is still in the possession of the 
family at Elizabeth. In 1803 Major John Walker built the 
boats used in Lewis & Clark's exploration of the Missouri 
river and the Northwestern part of the United States. He also 
kept the Mansion House, the only hotel in Elizabeth, where 
he entertained General La Fayette on the occasion of the 
hitter's visit to this region in 1825. He died in Elizabeth at 
the age of 86, having raised a family of eight children. 

His second son, John Walker, Jr., married Nancy, daughter 
of Solomon and Nancy (Speers) Krepps, of Brownsville, Pa. 
lie was extensively engaged in the mercantile business in 
Elizabeth for many years, but has retired, and now resides 



178 The Old and New Mfmongahela. 

with his wife in Denver, Colorado. They have three children, 
John Brisben, Bolivar Krepps, and Mary Krepps. John 
Brisben Walker is the well known owner and editor of the 
Cosmopolitan. 

His third son, Major Robert 0. Walker, married Eliza, 
daughter of Ephriam and Maria, (Gillespie) Blaine, sister of the 
late Hon. James G. Blaine. He was engaged in various pur- 
suits until the war of the Rebellion. He was at one time a 
member of the Pennsylvania Legislature. When the war broke 
out he entered the Union army and there attained the rank 
of major. After the war he continued in the regular army, 
stationed at St. Paul, Minnesota, and Helena, Montana, until 
he was retired by reason of his age. He still lives in Helena, 
and has four children living, viz: James Blaine Walker (City 
Treasurer of Helena); William G. Walker, of Washington, D. 
C. ; Julia, (Mrs. Daniel Fiske), of Helena, and Margaret, (Mrs. 
O. J. Salisbury), of Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Mary, the oldest daughter of Major John Walker, was mar- 
ried in 1819 to Solomon Speers, of Bellevernon, Pa. They 
moved to Peoria, Illinois, where they died. Five children sur- 
vive them, viz: Diana, (Mrs. Joseph Gallagher), of Jefferson 
City, Iowa; Noah Speers, of Illinois; Solomon P. Speers, 
of Baltimore, Md. ; Robert Speers, of Jefferson City, Iowa, 
and Mary Evaline (Mrs. Fred Gilbert), of Peoria, Illinois. 
Matilda, the second daughter of Major John Walker, was mar- 
ried to William K. Yankirk, of Elizabeth. They lived four- 
teen years in Millsboro, Pa., after their marriage, and then re- 
turned to Elizabeth, where they both died. Two children sur- 
vive them, viz., Samuel W. Yankirk, a merchant of Elizabeth, 
and Angeline G. Walker, (widow of John S. Walker, of Min- 
neapolis, Minnesota. ) Diana, the third daughter (^)f Major 
John Walker, was married to Samuel Frew, the first lawyer 
and editor of Elizabeth. They both spent their lives in 
Elizabeth. An only child survives them, viz., Eugene 
B. Frew, of Bolden, (Colorado. Their daughter, Anto- 
nette, married Jacob H. Miller, Esq., of Pittsburgh. She 



The Old ami New Monongahela. 179 

died ill 1890, leaving two children, Horace J. and Adelaide. 
Sarah, fourth daughter of Major John Walker, married Dr. 
W. A. Penniman, of Elizabeth. They lived from 1856 to 1S71 
in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They had no children. 

Julia, fifth daughter of Major John Walker, was married to 
John McDonough, merchant, of Elizabeth, where they both 
spent their lives. Three children survive them, viz., Mary, 
(Mrs. I. N. Large), of Denver, Col. ; Annie, (Mrs. Caleb Mc- 
Cune), of Hazelwood, Pittsburgh, and Corinne McDonough, of 
Denver, Col. 

Samuel, the oldest son of Major John Walker, (born in 1798), 
succeeded his father in the boat building business, and it was 
during his administration that it attained its greatest proportions. 
For many years he kept three boat yards in constant operation, 
and built many famous boats, among them the renowned "J. 
M. White,'' the fastest steamboat that ever turned a wheel on 
the Mississippi river. Prior to 1857, 312 boats had been built 
at the Walker boat yards in Elizabeth. He was also exten- 
sively engaged in the mercantile business, and was the first 
postmaster of Elizabeth. In 1819 he married Nancy, daugh- 
ter of Noah and Nancy (Frey) Speers, of Bellevernon, and in 
1869 they celebrated their golden wedding. They raised a 
family of ten children, six of whom are living (1893), viz. ; 
Wm. B. Walker, of Madison, Mo.; Lucinda, (Mrs. K. P. 
Voorhies), of San Jose, Cal. ; Noah S. Walker, of Colorado, 
Texas; Samuel Walker, merchant, of Elizabeth; Nannie, (Mrs. 
A. R. Pope), of Macon, Mo., and Mary, (Mrs. T. B. Barnes), 
of Pittsburgh, E. E. The deceased are Thomas P. Walker, 
who left a widow and two children, of Elizabeth; James S. 
Walker, who left a widow and four children, now of McKees- 
])(»rt; John S. Walker, of Minneapolis, Minn., who left a widow 
(Mrs. Angeline G. Walker) and one son by adoption, Albert J. 
Walker, (a son of Noah S. ), who now resides (1893) in Eliza- 
beth. He is one of the rising attorneys at the Pittsburgh bar. 
His office is 129 Fifth avenue. Diana, (Mrs. General James 
A. Ekin), of Louisville, Ky., who left two cliildren, Wm. M. 
Ekin, and Mary, (Mrs. A. E. Will son), of Louisville, Ky. 



180 The Old and Neia Monongahela. 

General James A. Eken was engaged iu boat building busi- 
ness in Elizabeth at the outbreak of the Rebellion, having 
succeeded his father-in-law, Samuel Walker. He entered the 
U. S. army and in a short time was made assistant Quarter- 
master, and in time attained the rank of Colonel and Brevet 
Brigadier General. He continued in the service after the war 
was over, stationed at San Antonio, Texas, and later at Louis- 
ville, Ky., where he died in March, 1891. 

Samuel Frew. 

Samuel Frew, son of Andrew Frew, was born in Elizabeth 
in 1810, and studied law under Hon. Walter Forward, and be- 
came the first lawyer of Elizabeth. At the early age of 18 he 
was editor and proprietor of the Pennsylvanian^ a campaign 
paper, and later of the Monongahela Mt>8sewj<'i\ one of the 
early newspapers of the valley. He served a term in the State 
Legislature, and was appointed by Gov. Ritner, Protlionatory 
of the Supreme Court. He was a brilliant and talented writer 
and lawyer, and was eminently kuI generix in his make up. He 
was naturally endowed with wonderful abilities, was quick of 
comprehension and probably one of the finest conversationalists 
in his own or any other community. He was always revolv- . 
ing some vast scheme in his mind, and always intended to put 
them in execution but never succeeded. No doubt one trouljle 
was his being ahead of the times in which he lived. One of 
his pet schemes was located at Tygart Valley Falls, West Va. 
This was laid out oii a grand scale and work commenced, Mr. 
Frew asserting that it would not be long before a railroad would 
be located and put in operation in this apparently iiuiccessiblo 
region, which has since been accom])lished. Henuirried Diana, 
daughter of Major John Walker, and died in 1801. 

A Triuute — Death of Mks. Sakah Wilson. 
I From Daily MonoiiKalu^la Rcpuhlicdn.] 

The death of this well known person, which occurred Decem- 
ber 18th, 1889, at the residence of her brother, Rev. Dr. 



The Old and N("\ii Monongaliela. 181 

Hainiltoii, in Washington, Pa., removes from among us one of 
our oldest native residents. She was born in this place Octo- 
ber 24:th, 1813, being the eldest child of Joseph and Margaret 
(Ferguson) Hamilton. With the exception of a few occasional 
absences her whole life was spent here. In 1837 she was 
married to Mr. Henry Wilson who died many years ago. 

Since that time she has lived a comparatively secluded life. 
Last August she went on a visit to her friends in Washington. 
Her health'Seemed to be quite good for one of her age, but 
being suddenly attacked with acute pain in her breast she sank 
rapidly, and within 24 hours her life ended. 

After brief religious services at Washington, conducted by 
Rev. Drs. Brownson, Woods and Stevenson, her body was 
brought to this place on the 19th, and the day following was 
interred from the house of her relative, C. W. Hazzard. Of 
her three surviving children, all residing in Illinois, two were 
present, Mrs. Smith F. Wilson, of Bloomington, and Mr. R. 
F. Wilson, of Chicago (accompanied by his wife). On account 
of the casual illness of her pastor. Rev. Dr. Maxwell, the 
services of a former pastor, Rev. Dr. Campbell, of Sewickley, 
were solicited and kindly tendered. Dr. C. spoke with much 
feeling of her christian character and of her sudden departure. 
She had feared the Lord from her youth, had been a member of 
the Presbyterian church here for more than 50 years, had been 
in some important respects an example for others to imitate, 

Though the sphere in which Mrs. Wilson moved in the latter 
years of her life was a retired one, she will be not a little 
missed out of our community. She had lived here so long, she 
had in earlier life taken such an active interest in all current 
events, and possessed naturally such an uiiusually retentive 
memory that her miiul seemed to be a storehouse of ](x;al in- 
foi-mation, and she was constantly being made the arbiter of 
doubtful points in local history. In personal ministry to the 
sick and afflicted she was a inodel of self-sacrificing kindness. 

During the memorable jieriod of tlu; civil war, her two 
sous l)eing in the array, she gave her time and tlioiiglit almost 

14 



! ^- I'hf Old and Nein Mjmongahela. 

niceasantl} to those ministries of kindness for the relief of the 
sick and wounded soldiers which were then so largely and con- 
stantly required, and which here as elsewhere throughout the 
country, were so freely rendered. 

If the question were asked why it was that Mrs. Wilson, 
''Aunt Sarah'"' as she was familiarly called by so many, had 
such a warm place in the hearts of those who best knew her, 
the reply would doubtless embrace at least two points. One 
of these is that already alluded to, her sacrificing kind hearted- 
ness. The other, a certain cheerfulness and equinimity which 
she owed partly to nature and partly to grace, and which no 
adversity was able to extinguish. In youth she was remark- 
ably vivacious, and with strong social tastes and attachments, 
enjoyed life fully. In later years, though overtaken with 
many and specially severe trials, she did not fall into a mur- 
muring and repining spirit, but was patient, submissive, hope- 
ful. She could always see a bright side to everything. She 
did not torment herself with fears and distrust of the future. 
Her faith in Providence was not a theory simply, it was 
thoroughly and habitually practical. She had nothing to com- 
plain of. She envied no one. She lived less for herself than 
for others. She was cheerful, contented, happy; and found 
her greatest delight in ministering to the hay^piness of others. 
Dear, kind Aunt Sarah! How much more she did for us all 
than any of us could ever do for her. — Monongahela City, 
January 5th, 1890. 

Scott Family. 

William Scott, Sr. . with his wife, Rebecca, emigrated from 
Ireland with their family, consisting of Faimie, John, Thomas, 
Jane, Mary Joseph, Alexander, Angel and Rebecca. They 
sailed on the ship Dolphin and landed at New Castle, below 
Philadelphia, September 6, 1796. April 6, 1800, Thomas 
Scott, son of William and Rebecca, purchased the tract of land 
on Mingo Creek in Washington county, Penn'a, now (1888) 
owned by Cowan, Lofink and Crookham, upon which, near the 



The Old and i\>7/' Mnnonga/ie/a. 183 

bank of the creek, stood at that time a hirge log mill, and near 
by a log house, the latter of which was erected in 1790, and 
still stands firm. At what time or by whom the mill was built 
we have no information. Thomas Scott, with his sister Mary, 
took possession of this house on date of purchase and attended 
the mill, which was an undershot wheel mill. Thomas Scott 
married Margaret Turner, March li, 1802. His father Wm. 
Scott, was, in the 26th year of his age, with most of his family, 
settled about the same time on the head waters of Mingo creek, 
near what is now known as Dunningsville. 

William Turner, father-in-law of Thomas Scott, with his 
family, emigrated from Ireland at an earlier day, when the 
wife of Thomas was only two years old. William Turner also 
settled in the east end of Washington county. The Turners 
were nearly related to the Rogers family, one of whose girls 
married Benjamin Parkison, Sr. , who was the grandfather of 
A. R. Parkison of this day. The Rogers were also Scotch- 
Irish, and in Irelarul were considered of the highest class of 
citizens, fond of style and fine dress. In the log house above 
mentioned Thomas Scott and his wife had to them born eleven 
children, under the medical ministrations of the good old mid- 
wife, Granny McCord, at the cost price of two dollars for each 
birth. She made it the business of her life and was very suc- 
cessful. 

In 1812 Thomas Scott erected the mill on Mingo, now oi- 
recently owned by R. Cowan. This mill had undershot wheels. 
In 1831 he applied a steam engine to this mill. In 1835 he 
sold the mill and farm to Samuel Morgan, and bought what 
was known as the Bentley mill and farm, now known as the 
Harrison Distillery, and is situated a short distance up from 
the mouth of Mingo creek. The wife and son John died here, 
the former December 24, 1849, and the latter at the date as 
a])ove stated. In August, 1851, the mill, house and 16 acres 
of land was sqUI to T. Mitchell. The family then removed to 
Monongahela City. In 1852 Thonuis Scott built the brick 
house in that citv in which Mark Borland now resides. In 



184 The Old and Netv Monongaliela. 

this house Thomas Scott died February 19, 1856. Thomas 
Scott's brother Alexander inherited a large fortune on the death 
of his uncle Joseph Orr, a rich batchelor who died on the 
Jamaica Islands. 

Mary, a sister of Thomas Scott, who was his housekeeper, 
on his settling in 1802, was married to John Friar, a merchant; 
who owned the farm three-quarters of a mile on the pike east 
of Ginger Hill. He, there for a time kept a valuable store. 
He died possessing what in those days was called great wealth. 
Their only child, a daughter, Jane, married Major John S. 
Clokey, He also run the mercantile business at this place, but 
being extravagant in his way of living, and unsuccessful in his 
dealings, he soon exhausted his wife's fortune, and both died 
poor. 

William Scott died in Stubenville, Ohio, January 24th, 1876. 
The older citizens will call to mind William when he lived in 
the old log house over the mill-race, opposite the present resi- 
dence of the late Nathan Wylie, on Pigeon creek, and attended 
the mill for Isaac VanYoorhis. They will no doubt recollect 
his little boy Winfield, who is now one of the most prominent 
mercantile men in Steubenville, Ohio, and president of several 
large business associations in that city. 

Matilda had two sons, James and Oliver, who are now 
(1888) extensive business men in Toledo, Ohio. James owning 
one-half of a wholesale store doing yearly one million of sales. 

Alexander raised a very large family, and nearly all his 
life lived in Monongaliela City, and for the most part in the 
house still standing on Railroad, near Fourth street. 

Moses, the survivor for many years of the family of Thomas 
Scott, being childless, was long a resident of Monongaliela, 
where he lived with his wife in ease and comfort. He owned 
at his death, which occurred March 5th, 1891, a part of the 
old homestead on Mingo, not far from the spot where he first 
saw the light of day. He was one of the substantial elements 
in the make-up of his adopted city, where he was held in high 
esteem as a citizen and christian gentleman. 



The Old and New Monongaliela. 185 

The Monongaliela BepuUican of March 6, 1891, says: 

Moses Scott, 

An aged and respected citizen of this city, died at his residence, 
Third ward, Thursday evening, March 5, 1891, at 7 o'clock, 
after a long illness. 

Mr. Scott was born in the old Scott farm house on Mingo 
creek, October 12, 1809, where he lived until 1850, when he 
moved to Monongaliela City. During the year '55 he was 
married to Rosanna McFarland, daughter of Colonel Joseph 
McFarland, of Franklin county. This branch of the Scott 
family are intimately connected with the early history of Wash- 
ington county, and are well known in this part of Western 
Pennsylvania. 

In '62 Moses Scott moved to Beaver, Ohio, but returned to 
Monongahela City soon after the war was over. Early in life 
he was converted and became a member of the Mingo Presby- 
terian Church, and remained a steadfast Christian during all his 
long life of 82 years. He was a member of the First Baptist 
Church, this city, and died in that faith. 

For five years Mr. Scott was Justice of the Peace for Third 
ward. In politics he was formerly a strong Republican, but of 
late years has been a Prohibitionist. He carried on a mercan- 
tile business during one poition of his life in the store now 
occupied by Keller Bros, but has lived a retired life during his 
last days. 

Moses Scott was known to all our people. He was raised in 
the strictest Covenanter Presbyterianism; his lessons of fru- 
gality came to him from Ireland, and were his by birth and 
training. This sometimes led him to a close economy, border- 
ing on illiberality, and often misunderstood. 

When one comes to sum up his rouuded character as it stands 
finished, the verdict will be that Moses Scott lived up to the 
Christian life as it was given him to see it, and that much of 
the good that he did was hidden from the world by his own 



180 The Old and JS'ew Monongahela. 

peculiar way of looking at duty. To illustrate: years ago he 
lifted a debt from the Baptist church, saying, you pay the in- 
terest, and at my death I will provide for the principal. 

His funeral will take place on Saturday morning from the 
Baptist church. And when he is laid to rest his epitaph can 
well be written, "An honest, virtuous, God-fearing, intelligent 
Bible reading, correct living man has gone to his reward."' 

Hon. James Scott. 

He died at his home in Lebanon, Ohio, December 16, 1888. 
His biography will be found among the proceedings of the Cen- 
tennial at Monongahela City, November 15, 1892. 

VAN YOORHIS FAMILY. 

To Hon. T. G. Bergen we are indebted for the signification 
of the Yan Yoorhis, formerly written Yan Yoorhies and Yan 
Yoorhees, as we find it in his work, entitled "The history of 
the Bergen family, with notes upon some of the branches of 
the Yoorhies and other Long Island families. " " Steven 
Coerte Yoorhies, w^ho emigrated to this country from Holland 
in 1630, was a son of Coert Alberts Yoorhies, who resided in 
front of the village of Hees, or Hies, in the Netherlands, the 
word " Yoor'' meaning in English "in front of." E. W. Yan 
Yoorhis in his ancestry of W. R. Yan Yoorhis, after a search 
by the St. James Heraldry office in London in 1872, obtained 
a certificate, under seal of the office, containing a description 
of the coat of arms, which states "That the armorial bearings 
of the family consisted in a golden tower on a red shield, 
quartered with a tree torn up by the roots, on a silver field. 
The motto being " Yirtus Casteltum Meum." 

Our knowledge biographical of the Yan Yoorhis family dates 
back only to Cornells Coerte Yan Yoorhees, of Flatlands, L. 
I., who was baptised January 23, 1678, and left, among other 
children, his son Daniel Yan Yoorhees, who was born at 
Oyster Bay, L. I., December, 1701, and married Femmyte 



The Old and New jSI<>v<iu<i(ih(hi. hs7 

Bennett November 27, 1724. She was born A])ril 24, 1700. 
Their children were : Elizabeth, born July 24, 1725 ; Corne- 
lius, October G, 1729 ; Femmyte, born January 16, 173- ; 
John, born June, 1735 ; Daniel, born July 8, 1738 ; Antyte, 
born October 14, 1741 ; Jerome, born April 8, 1743 ; and 
Abraham, November 6, 1751. Daniel, born as above stated, 
July 8, 1738, was the ancestor of the family in Western 
Pennsylvania. He was a seafaring man, following navigation 
most of his life ; he was master of several merchant ships of 
which he was part owner. During the revolution he was taken 
prisoner three different times by the British, and each time 
suffering a total loss of his vessel. During an engagement one 
time a stanchion of the vessel agaijist which he was leaning 
was carried away by a cannon ball. With two other captains 
as prisoners, he was taken to some Spanish island for safe 
keeping, from the dangers of which they escaped only to be 
recaptured. In 1764 Daniel was married to Mrs. Sarah Britt, 
who was a daughter of Coerte Yan Voorhees, of Fishkill, N. Y. 
She died September 15, 1777. By this wife he had two 
children, Samuel Newton and Sarah. He married as his 
second wife Mary Newton, July 12, 1780. We are not in- 
formed just when Daniel left Long Island and settled in Ran- 
cocas Creek, New Jersey, twelve miles from Philadelphia, but 
it was somewhere about 1780. By this second marriage were 
born John, Daniel, Abraham and Mary. We have on a fly 
leaf of a little history of New York, printed in London in 
1757, these words in his own handwriting : 

•' Moved my family out into the backwoods in the month of 
October, in the year of our Lord 1786. *" 

Daniel Van Voorhis. 

In 1785 he had been out himself and selected his new home. 
He brought with him in 1786 bis second wife and his children 
born to her as above mentioned. 

He located on the farm now owned by John VanYoorhis, 
in Carroll township, Washington county. Pa., where his wife. 



lUb The Old and JSfew Monongahela. 

Mary N., died October 31, 1789, and hers was the first burial 
in the VanYoorhis cemetery, his daughter, Mary, being the 
second. She was born at the new home January 30th, 1788, 
and died August 11th, 1789. Daniel first lived in the log 
cabin east of the well known spring, Mdiere yet may be seen 
traces of it. He occupied this cabin when he married. May 
3d, 1791, his third wife, in the person of Nancy Myers, and 
in it were born their two children, Elizabeth and Isaac. 
Whilst Isaac was a mere youth the hewed log house was built 
that stood above the cabin nearly on the spot where is now the 
brick house of John VanYoorhis. Daniel died February 21st, 
1819, in the homestead, and his wife, Nancy, died February 
I7tli, 1840, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Samuel Frye. 

Samuel N., son of Daniel, was born July 12th, 1774, on 
Long Island, and was married to Sarah Myers June 22, 1800. 
Their children were: 

Daniel, born April 13th, 1801, in Duchess county, N. Y. 

William R. was born May 25th, 1803, in Duchess county, N. Y. 

Charles E. was born October 11th, 1809, in Duchess 
county, N. Y. 

Susan R. was born January 7th, 1812, in Washington 
county. Pa. 

Sarah Ann was born May, 1816, in Washington county. Fa. 

Isaac was born March 1, 1821, in Crawford county, Ohio. 

Harriett was born February 20th, 1826, in Crawford 
county, Ohio. 

Somewhere between the years 1809 and 1812, Samuel N. 
left New York state with his family to seek a now home in 
western Pennsylvania. They traveled in a two-horse wagon, 
rigged with yankee harness and other accoutrements, after the 
style of that day. They came direct to his father's, and in a 
short time were domiciled in the old log house that stood near 
the present entrance to YanYoorhis cemetery. He for a while 
taught school in what was then known as Hair's school house. 
After a not very long time he moved into a log house on the 
Joel Butler farm, near the present Black Diamond Railroad 



The Old and Nevi Monongahela. 189 

Station, above Monongahela City. Sometime prior to 1820 he 
moved to Crawford county, Ohio, and located near where now 
stands the city of Bucyrus, which was then considered on the 
frontier of settlement. They moved in a two-horse wagon 
drawn by a stout yoke of oxen and one horse in the lead; took 
with them one cow and calf. Here Samuel N. and his wife, 
Sallie, spent the remnant of their days, and now lay side by 
side in Whetstone cemetery, Samuel having died February 
24th, 1857, and his wife September 20th, 1848. 

Charles Edward, son of Samuel N., has long been a resident 
of Knox county, Ohio, near the town of Bladensburg. He is 
a farmer to some extent but has been mainly engaged in the 
ministry connected with the Christian church. He was married 
July 9, 1832, in Crawford county, Ohio, to Miss Susan Jones, 
who was born January 28, 1813, and died September 17, 1870. 
They had eleven children. 

On June, 1884, nine were living, all married, and had child- 
ren more or less in number, but in the aggregate the total is 
forty-one. His children are all farmers and doing well. 
Charles E. married as a second wife Miss Ellen Fergeson, of 
Columbiana county, Ohio, April 27, 1871. Of the remaining 
children of Samuel N. VanVoorhis we know little, excepting 
that Isaac was a prominent politicion in Crawford county, Ohio, 
being County Commissioner for at least one term, and was held 
in high esteem by his fellow citizens. 

Sarah, daughter of Daniel YanYoorhis, by his first wife, was 
born August, 1777, and married her cousin, John YanYoorhis, 
November 23, 1797, who was born August 2, 1768. He died 
near Goshen, N. Y., May 2, 1848, and his wife November 17, 
1859. Their children were: 

Fhoebe, born June 19, 1798, and died September 2, 1830. 

Daniel, born January 15, 1800, died July 12, 1812. 

Susan, born November 18, 1802, married Thomas Faulkner, 
April 9, 1829. 

Samuel N., born October 31, 1804, died August 3, 1826. 

Sallie Ann, born October 14, 1806, died September 13, 1826. 

William, born June 1, 1809, died July 10, 1834. 



190 The Old and Neio Monongahda. 

Mary R., born July T, 1811, married William B. Vail 
May 29, 1833. 

Enialiiie, born September 7, 1813, married Jeremiah E. 
Williamson February 11, 1817. 

Elizabeth, born July 31, 1815, died September 9, 1873. 
She had married Albert Kockfellow December 30, 1835. 

Jane, born April 11, 1818, married Charles S. Puff 
January 6, 1841. 

This was the condition of the family in 1881. Samuel R. 
Williamson at that date had long been a resident of the vicinity 
of New Brunswick, New Jersey, where, as far as we know, 
the family still resides. 

John, the oldest son of Daniel VanYoorhis by his second 
wife, was born in Burlington county. New Jersey, March 3d, 
1781. He was married to Sarah Frye about the year 1805. 
He lived in a cabin near the VanYoorhis cemetery gate on the 
Brownsville road, the spring alone from which he used water 
remains to locate the spot. He moved with his family to 
Muskingum county, Ohio, in April, 1812. He located on a 
farm near the present town of Nashport, where he died June 
28, 1874. He and a man the name of Trout built a keel boat 
at the mouth of Pigeon creek. In it he moved the heavier 
articles, among which were five barrels of whiskey, seven 
barrels of flour, two iron kettles, and a box filled with earth in 
which were placed scions of current bushes, apple and other 
fruit trees in embryo, together with a barrel of dried apples, 
and farming implements. The family went overland with the 
team. The men pushed and floated the boat down the Ohio to 
the mouth of the Muskingum, and thence up that river to 
Zanesville, from which point the goods were taken by wagon 
to Nashport, twelve miles distant. That region was then a 
wilderness of woodland, but John lived to see it blossom as the 
rose. John was a Baptist of the strictest kind in religion, and 
of the old political school a federal, and of the new a 
republican. 

To John and Sarah were born as children: 



The Old and New Monongahela. 191 

Daniel, born in the log cabin above mentioned, November 
25, 1806, and died June 3, 1893. The dates of the remaining 
children we have not obtained, but their names are as follows: 
Mary, Elizabeth, Theresa, Samuel, Sarah and Nancy. Daniel 
was married to Jane Koberts, of Muskingum county, January 
24, 1834. She died April 11, 1871. He was not only a 
pioneer farmer but a successful merchant in the early days of 
that region. His thousands of acres and other sources of 
wealth attest his energy and capacity for gaining a competency. 
Against his own inclinations he was twice elected to the Ohio 
Legislature and in that body was reckoned as one of the most 
safe and useful members. In later years he was elected a 
member of the Constitutional Convention, where he did good 
service in aiding to mould many of the wisest provisions in the 
new Constitution. He (1892) still lives, and for years has so- 
journed in the city of Zanesville, while he holds his voting 
residence in Nashport, near his home. 

Daniel and Jane had born to them seven children: 

John, born July 23, 1836, and died from an accident in the 
summer of 1882. Of the dates of the birth of Victoria, Samuel, 
Sarah A., Mary I., Zenas F. and Henry C, we have no knowl- 
edge. Henry Clay is President of the Citizens' National Bank 
of Zanesville, Ohio, and elected to Congress in 1892. 

Zenas F. remains unmarried. 

Hon. Daniel Van Voorhis. 

We insert the following extract from the Zanesville Tmies- 
Recordei' relative to the death of Hon. Daniel Van Voorhis: 

He died June 3, 1893, at the residence of his son, Hon. H. 
Clay Van Voorhis, in Zanesville, Ohio. He was born on the 
original Van Voorhis homestead, in then Fallowfield but now 
Carroll township, Washington county, Fenn'a, November 25, 
1806, and was moved by his father and mother, John and 
Sarah Van Voorhis, to Muskingum county, Ohio, locating in a 
log cabin near Nashport, Licking county, in April, 1812. His 
father at the time of his death was the oldest inhabitant of Lick- 



192 The Old and New Monoiujahela. 

iiig township, and one of the oldest in the county. He was 
born in Burlington county, N. J., during the revolutionary war 
and when five years of age moved with his parents to Wash- 
ington county, Pa., locating three miles west of Monongahela 
City. In 1805, having two large crops of wheat for which 
there was no home market, he had it ground, and building a 
flatboat, he started on April 5 for New Orleans with a cargo of 
flour. He disposed of part of it enroute for |8 a barrel and 
finally arrived at his destination May 22, when he disposed of 
the remainder of his flour and his boat, and after celebrating 
the Fourth of July in the metropolis of the Louisiana Purchase, 
he sailed to New York, reaching home August 28. He was 
married to Sarah Fry December 12, 1805, and continued to 
reside near the parental home until he came to Muskingum 
county with his family in 1812. 

Daniel Van Voorhis was the oldest sou, and soon after the 
family's arrival at Nashport was started to school in a log 
school house. The children sat on seats made by splitting 
round logs in two pieces, shaving the flat sides with a drawing 
knife, and driving pins into auger holes for legs. The house 
had a puncheon floor and a large fire place in the end of the 
building. It was a subscription school, at $2.50 a scholar, the 
attendance numbering about twenty-five. After taking advan- 
tage of these limited educational facilities, he worked on liis 
father's farm until he was about twenty-five years of age. The 
Ohio canal had then been finished, and he boated on the canal 
part of the summer of 1831. 

He was not pleased with the canal business, and in the fall 
of 1831 he concluded to open a general store at Nashport. 
His father agreed that if he would hew the framing timber, 
haul the logs and have the necessary lumber sawed, and quarry 
the stone for the cellar wall, he would furnish the necessary 
money for the erection of the building and would lend him all 
the money he had — about $800. The building was completed 
on the 14th of the next April, and with |200 dollars of his own 
and $800 borrowed from his father, he started on horseback 



The Old and Neio Mowmgahela. 193 

the next morning for Washington county, Fa., where he 
borrowed ^500 more of an uncle, and went to Pittsburgh and 
purchased a stock of goods. They were shipped to this city 
by water, and he had his store opened in May. In April, 
1838, he associated with himself in the store at Nashport Mr. 
Abel Randall. They continued their partnership until Novem- 
ber, 1843, when they sold out to John W. Thompson. 

Mr. Van Voorhis ' then went back to farming, purchasing a 
large farm and managing it very successfully until April, 1877, 
when he rented it and retired from its active management. 
Since his retirement he has resided in this city, boarding at the 
Kirk House for a number of years and for the past two years 
making his home with his son, Congressman Van Yoorhis. 
In October, 1859, he was elected to the Ohio Legislature from 
Muskingum county, as a Republican, and served during the 
sessions of 1860 and 1861. He was a strong supporter of the 
measures proposed in aid of the Government and voted for the 
two million dollar bill to aid in putting down the rebellion. 
In April, 1873, he was elected a member of the convention to 
frame a new constitution for the State of Ohio, but the con- 
stitution framed by it failed of adoption by the people. 

He was married to Miss Jane Roberts, daughter of John and 
Barbara Roberts, of Falls township, January'24, 1834. Seven 
(liildren were born to them, all of whom grew to manhood and 
womanhood. Six are still living, John having been accidently 
killed at Nashport several years ago. Those still living are, 
Mrs. T. M. Taylor and S. F. Van Voorhis, of Newark; Mrs. 
J. G. Stump, of Dresden; Mrs. N. C. Fleming, of Hanover, 
and Hon. JL (J. and Fuller Van Voorhis, of this city. His 
wife, Mrs. Jane Roberts Van Voorhis, died Ai)ri] 11, 1871. 
Two sisters are all of his father's family that survive him. 
They are Mrs. Littleton Adams, of Madison township, and Mrs. 
I). R. Cook, of Macon, Ga. 

He was a consistent member of the Methodist church at 
Nash}»()rt. During his residence here he; attended divine ser- 
vices at the Market Street Ba])tist ('hurch. He was a liber;)! 



11:»4 Tlii^ Old and New Monongahela. 

contributor to institutions for the dissemination of knowledge 
and Christianity, among those aided very substantially by him 
being the American Bible Society, Kenyon College, Ohio Wes- 
leyau University and Denison University. 

Mr. Van Yoorhis was an example of the noblest work of God, 
an honest man. He was honest in all the word implies.. He 
was true to every trust and sincere in everything he did. He 
was a thorough business man, which, C()upled with his tireless 
energy and indomitable will power, resulted in In'inging him a 
competence for his old age. He was a model husband and 
father and had the confidence and esteem of every one who 
knew him. He was a splendid example of the pioneer, who 
had not only witnessed the transformation from the wilderness 
to the heigh th of civilization, but has had a share in it all. 

Mary, daughter of John Van Yoorhis, married Abel Kandal, 
of the vicinity of Nashport. They are both dead. 

Theresa married John A. Blair, a prominent merchant and 
politician of Zanesville. Both are deceased. Elizabeth mar- 
ried Samuel Adams, of Dresden, Ohio, and are deceased. 
Samuel died in 1840, by the fall from a horse. Nancy mar- 
ried Littleton Adams of Dresden, and both are living. Sarah 
A. nuirried a man named Cook, and both are living and resi- 
dents of Georgia. 

Daniel, another son of Daniel Van Voorhis by his second 
wife, was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, December 
22d, 1783, and died at his home in Carroll township, Wash- 
ington county. Pa., August 6th, 1852. He married Mary 
Frye November 19th, 1807, who was born February 9th, 1788, 
and died May -Ith, 1881. They lived during all of their 
married lives on the farm now owned by James Sansom in 
Carroll towmship. Daniel was one of those red-blooded per- 
sons that generally are long lived, yet he died the earliest of 
any of his brothers. He was one of the pioneer cattle dealers 
of Western Peunsylvania, and a man of distinguished integrity 
and moral worth. Uncle Danny, as he was familiarly called, 
had a large family f>f children, six of whom are living (1892). 



The Old and New Monongahela. 195 

X 

Newtt)ii, wliu died April 2d, 1890, was named after his grand- 
mother. Newton married Nancy Cooper, daughter of the late 
Valentine Cooper and grand daughter of Frederick Cooper, the 
older, who settled at the mouth of Maple creek, on the Mon- 
ongahela river, in very early day. Newton's oldest daughter, 
Mary, married John Hill, both of whom are dead. 

John Hill was the father of Joseph and Clinton Hill, now 
residents of Florida. Newton's daughter, Norcissa, married 
Harvey Yant of Horseshoe, he died not long ago. Julia 
married Clinton Yan Yoorhis, one ' of the most successful 
farmers in Carroll township. Elgy married Belle Frye, and 
lives in Kansas City, Mo. Josiah was drowned many years 
since in the Monongahela river, at Bellevernon ferry. Samuel 
married a Miss Adams, of Dresden, Ohio, whose mother was 
a daughter of John Yan Yoorhis, as above stated. Samuel 
died December 12, 1888, at Kansas City, Mo., and left a wife 
and two boys. Jerome remains on the homestead near the 
Witherow blacksmith shop in Fallowlield township. The 
daughter, Kate, married and moved west; and Nancy died 
near S])earville, Kas., a few years since. Elgy, another 
son of Uncle Danny's, was born in 1810, and married 
Hester Frye, daughter of Luke Frye. After living for a time 
in the stone house near the present distillery of W. J. Markell 
on Taylor's run, near Monongahela City, they removed to 
Greene county, where he still lives in comfort and affluence. 
His wife is deceased. 

Abraham was born February 1, 1812; married Mary Carson, 
now deceased. They lived for many years on the farm now 
owned by Robert Coulter, in Carroll township. He removed 
many years ago to Illinois, where he again married, and where 
he died June 14, 1886. 

Isaac, John F., Jerome, Daniel and Harvey 1>. are the re- 
maining sons of Daniel. 

Isaac, in 1846, married a daughter of the late Thomas 
Ho]>kins, of Pike run townshiji, aiul now lives near Hills- 
borough, on the National Pike. He is, ])erha]->s, the Inrgest 



196 The Old and Neu^ Monom/ahda. 

cattle dealer in Washington county. John F. married a Miss 
McBeth, whose parents resided near the old log house close by 
the present brick house of William Devore, near Monongahcla 
City. Pie resided for several years in the old part of the house 
now owned by Eobert McKean, near Lock No. 4. After 
changing bases at different times he finally settled at Spears- 
ville, Kansas. Jerome married a daughter of the late Wash- 
ington Cooper, and lived for a few years on the Uncle Danny 
homestead, then moved to Iowa, where his wife died. He 
still lives, having married a second wife. Daniel, after wan- 
dering to California on horseback among the early golden emi- 
grants, and prospecting in different other places, settled in 
Illinois or Indiana, we are not sure in what State or what part, 
and there died. Harvey B. married a daughter of the late 
John Hopkins, of Brownsville, Pa. He farmed for a time on 
the "Rogally" farm, near the present town of Finleyville; 
then carried on the liquor business in Bridgeport, Pa. ; then 
leased for some years the Oakland Park, out Fifth avenue, 
Pittsburgh. In the late war he was a major in the cavalry ser- 
vice in which he was severely wounded. After the war he 
went west and located in Spearcville, Kansas, where he still 
resides. 

Daniel had three daughters, Sarah, Christena and Mary. 
Sarah married Samuel Cooper, of Mingo creek. They are both 
dead. Christena married West Frye, whose death is noted 
elsewhere. His wife is also dead. Mary married B. P\ 
Bentley, and are residents of Monongahela City. 

Abraham, the remaining son of Daniel Van Voorhis, the 
older, by his second wife, was born in Burlington county. New 
Jersey, December 28, 1785, and died on the primitive old 
homestead December 4th, 1871. He married Ann Watkins 
May 11th, 1818, who died November 2d, 1828. He married 
as his second wife Jane Phillips November 27th, 1829, who 
lives on the old homestead. 

Abraham by his first wife had as children Garrett T., born 
February 18th, 1819, married iirst time to Hester Frye, wh(-) 



The Old and JSfev.i Monongahela. 197 

died March 20th, 1864. He has always been a farmer and 
stock dealer, and now resides on Pigeon creek not far from the 
home of his youth. His second wife was Mary Jane Baxter, 
and still lives, Joseph was born August 27th, 1820; died 
November I7th, 1822, and was buried in the Van Voorhis 
cemetery. 

Kobert was born July 21st, 1822, and married Caroline 
Frye March 2d, 1848. She died December 18, 1885, and her 
husband, Robert Van Voorhis, died January 26th, 1892, at 
Fort Collins, Col. The remains of both are in the Van 
Voorhis cemetery. Their only daughter, Clara, married the 
Rev. R. B. Mansell, D. D. She died at McKeesport, Pa. 
January 12th, 1890. In 1887 Robert married as his second 
wife Miss Jane Hoffman. Having sold his farm to Captain 
M. Coulson he moved to Colorado. 

Mary, the only daughter of Abraham by his first wife, was 
born May 5th, 1826, and died of diptheria January 31, 1863. 
She married Vincent Colvin April 6th, 1848, who died March 
3l8t, 1876. Vincent was a soldier in the late war, and was 
in the service when his wife died. Shortly after her death he 
was honorably discharged from the army by order of the 
secretary of war. By his second wife Abraham had children 
as follows: 

Eliza, born September 1st, 1830, married Thornton F. 
Watkins April 12th, 1849, and died February 28th, 1850. 
Thornton died January 2d, 1852, whilst on his way overland 
to California. They left their little boy, *' Jimmy," who died 
whilst a youth, in the home of his grand parents, Van Voorhis. 

Lucinda was born August 7th, 1832, and died of scarlet 
fever June 24th, 1840. 

John was born September 6th, 1835, married Josephine H. 
Teeple September 15th, 1859, and lived until a few years ago 
(1892) on the original Van Voorhis homestead, since that time 
he has resided in Monongahela City, where he is a prominent 
business man, but still owns the honiestt^ad where his son 
Charles resides. 

15 



198 The Old and New Monongahela. 

Emaline, born February 28tb, 1838, married to Josepb 
Brown, They lived for many years on the Cunningham farm, 
a short distance from Fayette City, Pa. He now (1892) lives 
in ease and comfort on a farm in Marion county, Kas. 

Caroline, born November 1st, 1840, married May 29th, 
1862, to James Jones, who died June 25th, 1877. She now 
resides with her children in a comfortable home near Ginger 
Hill. 

Serenia Ann, born July 2d, 1843, died March 23d, 1861. 

The last of the children born to Abraham and Jane Van 
Voorhis was Cynthia, who was born January 16th, 1848, 
married October 15th, 1868, Cooper Bentley, who died July 
12th, 1880. Cynthia married a man the name of Snyder as 
her second husband. They live in their nice residence on the 
pike, near Valley Inn, about two miles from Monongahela 
City. 

Aunt Jane, as she is familiarly called, relict of Abraham 
Van Voorhis, still lives and resides on the old homestead in a 
house not far below where stood the primitive cabin. She is 
hale and hearty, full of vivacity, and wonderfully devoted to 
her children. She has for a long life time been a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has listened to the 
preaching of the Gospel in the ' ' church on the river bank 
before many now in active duty were born. Long may she 
live to enjoy the love of her children, and to reap in her 
declining years much of the sweets of that religion she pro- 
fessed in early life. 

By his third wife Daniel Van Voorhis had a daughter, 
Elizabeth, and a son, Isaac. Elizabeth was born in the primi- 
tive log cabin on the old homestead December 19th, 1792, and 
died August 18th, 1875. She married the late Samuel Frye, 
who died many years prior to the death of his wife, in the old 
log house that stood near the present brick house on the farm 
now owned by William Rogers in Fallowficld township. 



The Old and Nein Monongahela. 199 



Isaac Van Yoorhis 

Was born in the log cabin already spoken of, on the old home- 
stead, March 15, 1794. He attended his first school in an old 
log house that stood near Witherow's blacksmith shop, in Fal- 
lowfield. The school was taught by an Irishman whose name 
we have forgotten. His common mode of punishment con- 
sisted in putting the unruly scholars up the huge chimney and 
giving them thereby a good smoking. The older Colvins, Mc- 
Comases, Witherows, Blythes,, Powers, Moodys were scholars 
in this primitive school. Isaac was married to Mary Hair by 
Rev. Samuel Ralston, May 13, 1819. They were married in 
the old log house, parts of which are still standing on the Hair 
farm, now owned by Williams brothers. He took his bride on 
horseback the next day to his home, where the plays and romp- 
ing took place in good old style beneath the shade of the wide 
spreading sugar tree that stood below the house. They lived 
in this home until April 1, 1834, when they removed to the 
McFarland farm, now owned by his sons, Dr. J. S. and Clinton 
Van Voorhis, where he died June 4, 1875, and his wife died 
April 14, 1876. She was born March 10, 1797, near Gerards- 
town. West Va., and came to Washington county with her 
father and other members of the family in 1806. 

Isaac Van Voorhis was ordained an elder in the Presbyterian 
church of Williamsport, now Monongahela City, February 12, 
1836. He was a Presbyterian in the truest sense of the word, 
believing that the doctrines and usages of that church were 
founded upon the rock, Christ, as taught in the scriptures. He 
was among the first flatboat builders at the mouth of Pigeon 
creek. P)y means of these crafts hay and other farm products 
were taken to the Pittsburgh market. In one instance he 
hauled his produce to the river and had it shipped in a kcelboat 
belonging to some other party, whilst he rode on horseback 
overland to the city, and returned the same day, the net pro- 
ceeds of the sale aggregating six dollars and seventy-five cents, 
not much more than a coal miner now earns in a day. He 



2<>0 The Old and New Monongahela. 

often remarked in liis latter days that people " uow-a-days 
hardly had an idea what labor it required to earn a living in 
early days. " He was a great friend of education, having aided, 
outside of his own family, at least two young men through 
college, one of whom was during his day on earth a dis- 
tinguished minister of the gospel. He was one of the first 
Board of School Directors in his native township after the 
adoption of the Public School law in 1834. He was one of the 
original stockholders and for many years a member of the 
Board of Managers of the Washington and Williamsport Turn- 
pike Company, serving in that capacity with Col. Joseph Barr, 
Samuel Hill and James Manown. He was born amidst the 
scenes of the Whiskey Insurrection and was about six months 
old at the time the great mass meeting was held at Parkison^s 
Ferry, now Monongahela City, over which Col. Edward Cook 
presided, and Albert Gallatin acted as secretary. 

His father had been a resident of Pigeon Creek for nine 
years, and on the 29th day of November, 1794, took the oath 
of allegiance, with many others, before Samuel De Pue, and 
the old gentleman being frequently waited on by the insur- 
gents to ascertain his views, was always prompt to give the 
same reply : "If a few of you want to resist the power of 
the government, go ahead, for my part I have seen enough of 
that in my past life. ' ' Isaac Van Voorhis in politics was a 
Federalist, and as such cast his first vote for President in 1810 
for Rufus King ; in 1820-24-28 for John Q. Adams ; in 1832 
he voted for Henry Clay, who was the National Republican 
candidate. In 1836 and 1840 he voted for Gen. W. H. Har- 
rison, the Whig candidate. In 1844 he voted for Henry Clay, 
and in 1848 for Gen. Taylor ; in 1852 for Gen. Scott. In 
1856, and up to his death, he voted for the Republican candi- 
dates. 

He never belonged to any secret orders or other society than 
the church, which he considered amply sufficient for purposes 
intended for man's welfare on earth, or his spiritual prepara- 
tion for the great hereafter. The Pittsburgh Gazette of June 




c^C^^A— - ^-< y^ '^?^Tr?'^ ^ 2> 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 201 

5, 1875, in speaking of the death of Isaac Van Yoorhis, said : 
" Mr. Isaac Van Voorhis, an old, well known and respected 
citizen of Carroll township, Washington county, near Monon- 
gahela City, died on Friday morning, June 4, 1875, in the 
82nd year of his age. From particulars furnished by a corres- 
pondent we learn that he was born on the 15th day of March, 
1794, within two miles of the place where he died. He resided 
for forty years on the old homestead bequeathed to him by his 
father, and forty-one years on the farm where the declining 
years of his life were spent. His grandfather was one of 
three brothers, one of whom was killed by a poisoned arrow 
shot by an Indian. From Cornelius, the name of one of these 
brothers, the deceased was a lineal descendent. Daniel, the 
son of Cornelius, was the grandfather of the deceased. He 
was born at Oyster Bay, Long Island, December 17th, 1708, 
where also Daniel, father of the deceased, was born July 8th, 
1738. Daniel for a time lived in New Jersey, but in October, 
1786, he removed to the farm on which the subject of this 
sketch was born. 

Mr. Van Voorhis was a subscriber to the Weekly Gazette 
for over sixty years, and during his life read over 3,000 copies 
of it, always depending on it for its political and general news 
and market reports. His father had taken the Gaz(dte from 
its foundation in 1786. The deceased had always been iden- 
tified with the whig and republican parties. He, with Robert 
McFarland, were the only persons in what was then Fallow- 
field township, Washington county, who voted for John Q. 
Adams, in 1824, for president. Hciuever had any faith in, or 
trusted the democratic party, and during his long life of over 
four-score years he never sought an oftice. For over fifty 
years he had been a member of the Presbyterian church, and 
a ruling elder for more than forty years. He was an exem- 
plary christian, and his early training in the teachings and 
doctrines of the Bible enabled him in his last illness to draw 
from it that spiritual consolation which, in the hour of death, 
the Christian alone can value. 



202 The Old and New Monongakela. 

In a notice of his death in the Presbyterian Banner^ Rev. 
Dr. W, O. Campbell, pastor of the Presbyterian church of 
Monongahela City, says: "The deceased was perhaps the 
oldest inhabitant in Carroll township, having lived in it all his 
life. He was married the 13th of May, 1819, to Mary Hair, 
daughter of James hair, one of the first ruling elders of the 
church in Monongahela City. He leaves his wife and seven 
children to mourn his loss. He was admitted to the church in 
early life under the ministry of Dr. Ralston; since that time 
he has been a faithful and consistent Christian. He was 
ordained elder in the church of Monongahela City February 
12th, 1836, and held that office 39 years. Officially he was 
the sole surviving representative of the early history of that 
church. He was a devout man of God, full of faith and the 
Holy Ghost, ripe in Christian experience and character. He 
was a steadfast believer in the Bible doctrines, as in our 
standards. He was not only beloved in his family but honored 
for his Christian consistency; his children leaned upon his 
prayers. He was not only honored in the community but be- 
loved for his Christian charity. He was loved honored and 
trusted by the church as a member and officer. As a ruler he 
was prudent; in council cautious, but decided in action, chari- 
table and conciliatory — a man of peace, yet true and firm in 
maintaining the interests of Zion. He was one of the worthy 
band of elders whom God pleased to give to this church in its 
early history, and was peculiarly respected because their worthy 
representative. For some years past he was seldom permitted 
to meet with the session; and was often, on account of his in- 
creasing infirmities, necessarily absent from public worship. 
He greatly regretted the deprivation, and had a constant 
interest in the affairs of God's house. 

About one year previous to his death he had a severe illness 
which he, as well as others, thought would be his last. He 
was most happy in the prospect of death. His great desire 
was to depart and be with Christ. The writer has not seen a 
more happy Christian experience than this was at that time. 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 203 

But God had something more for him to do. He was spared 
another year. During his last sickness he suffered great pain 
but had constant peace of mind. His faith did not for a 
moment forsake him. He knew by experience that God would 
not forsake him. At this time he did not forget the spiritual 
interests of his family or the church. He still preferred Jeru- 
salem above his chief joy. His advice to his children was, 
"Trust in the Lord, he has not forsaken me, he will not for- 
sake you." When he was told that all would soon be over, 
he said, "Bless the Lord, Oh my soul." 

On Sabbath, June 6, 1875, attended by a large concourse of 
people, from the house where he had lived forty years, we bore 
his remains to the tomb. " Blessed are the dead which die in the 
Lord, from henceforth: yea, saitli the spirit, that they may rest 
from their labors, and their works do follow them." 

The Monongahela Rejyuhllcan in speaking of his death, says: 
Mr. Isaac Van Yoorhis, whose death we noticed two weeks 
since, was born on the farm now owned by John Van Yoorhis, 
on the 15th day of March, 1794. He was the son of Captain 
Daniel Van Voorhis, who was born on Long Island, July 7, 
1738, and was in the prime of life during the days of the Revo- 
lution. He was an accomplished scholar, and especially versed 
in the science of navigation, as his books now in existence at 
the old homestead fully show. Captain Van Voorhis followed 
the sea as captain of a merchant vessel for many years, and 
during the Revolution was taken ])risoner three times by the 
British — twice having lost his vessel and cargo. At one time, 
being hard chased by a man-of-war, ho raised the signal of sur- 
render, but before it was recognized by the enemy, a cannon 
ball carried away the post against which he was leaning. 
At one time he, with several others, were banished to an island, 
from which they escaped only to be re-captured, though shortly 
afterwards released. He was married three times. His first 
wife was originally a Van Voorhis, but was the widow Brett 
when he married her; they had two children. Samuel for a 
time was a merchant in New York State, but in the beginning 



204 The Old and Neiv Monongahela. 

of this century removed to this coimtry, and for a short time 
lived in a cabin near the present Black Diamond Coal Works 
He afterwards immigrated to Crawford county, Ohio, where he 
died a few years since. Samuel's sister, Sarah, lived and died 
near Goshen, N. Y., in the 82nd year of her age. Captain Van 
Voorhis, prior to his coming to this country, resided some years 
on Rancocas creek, New Jersey, and in October, 1786, came 
with his family and purchased from a man named Decker 600 
acres of land, now owned hy John Yan Yoorhis and James 
Sampson. It was then a wilderness but now the garden spot 
in Carroll. He, with his two wives and three sons, sleep in 
the beautiful burying ground, selected by himself, overlooking 
Pigeon creek, for his remains and his kindred long before his 
death. Four generations of that name are now in that ceme- 
tery, incorporated and made perpetual by the laws of the land. 
Mr. Isaac Yan Yoorhis was the oldest resident in Carroll, hav- 
ing resided in it all his life. Cotemporary with him in the early 
history of this neighborhood were the Colvins, the Powers, 
McCombs, Hairs, Randolphs, Fryes, Depews, McGrews, Parki- 
sons, Irwins, Rices, Beckets, &c. He was married to Mary 
Hair by the Rev. Dr. Ralston on the 13th day of May, 1819. 
They lived together a little over 56 years. 

He always took a deep interest in our town. He, with his 
brothers, built the first keelboats at the mouth of the creek, 
just at the close of the war of 1812. He built the first coal- 
boat, loaded with coal at Williamsport wharf, which was then 
at the old red house at the mouth of what is now called First 
street. The boat was twelve feet wide and forty feet long. It 
was filled with coal by the late Edward Kearney by hauling it 
with a one-horse cart from the old coal bank in Catsburg. It 
was sold to a returned horse drover for cash received from the 
sale of horses, and after his departure was never heard from. 
In those days it was necessary to have such crafts in order to 
get the produce of the farm to market, and even then the price 
of grain scarcely justified transportation. 

He was in early times a federalist; in the days of Ritner, a 



TTie Old and New Monongahela. 205 

strong anti-Mason; afterwards a whig; and finally a republi- 
can. He, with -Robert McFarland, were the only persons in 
Fallowfield township who voted for John Q. Adams at the 
time he was elected president. He was a subscriber to the 
Weekly Gazette for over 60 years, and was said to be the 
oldest continuous subscriber the Gazette ever had. He was a 
Presbyterian by birth and profession for over 50 years, and 
was a ruling elder for 40 years. Ordained in 1836, he served 
in the session with Jesse Martin, James Gordon, James 
McGrew, Aaron Kerr, James Dickey, Henry Fulton, Joseph 
Kiddoo and John Power, all of whom had preceded him to the 
church on high, except John Power. He first attended Pres- 
byterian church at the old horseshoe building, situate on the 
farm now owned by John Wilson, and in that old church yard 
are still to be seen evidences of the resting place of nearly all 
the first settlers of this country for many miles around. On 
the removal of the place of preaching to this city, he worshipped 
with his father-in-law, elder James Hair, and a few others in 
the old log school house near the old Presbyterian church on 
Coal street and Church alley. He contributed liberally toward 
the erection of the old brick church on the hill, also for the 
church building at the foot of the hill, and more recently aided 
in building the present beautiful church on Main below Sixth 
street. Thus in his life he gave of his substance for three 
church buildings of the same congregation, a no common affair 
in one life time. He lived on the farm on which he was born 
40 years, and 41 years on the farm where he died. 

He leaves behind his wdfe, seven children, 25 grand children 
and three great grand children. All his children survive him 
except Daniel, who died in 1848. 

We need not say he died a christian, the world knew he was 
a christian, for it was as an humble follower of Christ his char- 
acter shown the brightest. As the end drew nigh his faith and 
trust in a crucified Redeemer grew stronger and his hold on the 
merits and righteousness of Christ more firm. Although suffer- 
ing intense pain, he never murmured, and with a halo of glory 



206 The Old and New Monongahela. 

on his countenance he entered within the portals of the 
celestial city. 

Mary H., wife of Isaac Van Voorhis, died at the homestead 
near Monongahela City April 14:th, 1876. The Monongahela 
liepiihlicmi^ in a notice of her death, says: 

"The deceased was born in Berkely county, Virginia, now 
West Virginia, on the 10th day of March, 1797. She came 
to this county with her parents, James and Rebecca Hair, in 
the year 1806. Her parents, not long after their arrival, 
settled on what was known then as the Platter farm, but after- 
wards was well known as the Hair farm, on Pigeon creek. 
Her father was the first ruling elder elected in the Presbyterian 
church in this city, which election occurred soon after the re- 
moval of the church organization from Horseshoe, in what 
year we are not able to say. The deceased had six brothers, 
John, James, Samuel, Gilbert M., Uriah, and B. W. Hair. 
John died in 1856 or thereabout, in Mount Union, Ohio. She 
had four sisters, Mrs. Martha Crouch, who died a few years 
since in the west; Mrs. Kela Baker, who died on the old Hair 
farm many years ago; Mrs. Eliza Potter, deceased in Allegheny 
City many years since; and Mrs. Louisa Brinton, who died 
years ago near Brownsville, Pa. She with her husband 
united with the Presbyterian church under the ministry 
of Rev. Dr. Ralston, and each were members of that church 
over fifty years. Being in full possession of her mental 
faculties to the last, she freely conversed on her prospects of 
Heaven; and, relying entirely on the blood of Christ, she was 
enabled to declare that death had no terrors. Thus in less 
than a year have passed within the portals of Heaven — 
two Christian parents, leaving behind a large circle of friends 
to mourn their loss. ' Blessed are the dead who die in the 
Lord.'" 

Another paper, in speaking of her death, remarks: " She 
was a woman of true piety, conscious of her union with Christ, 
steadfast in her faith, not afraid to die, her trust was in Jesus. 
A faithful wife and mother, a true friend, a devoted Christian 



TJie Old and Neio Monongahela. 207 

disciple; they who mourn for her mourn not as those who 
have no hope. '' 

Isaac and Mary had eight children, all born on the old Van 
Yoorhis homestead. Daniel was born March 15th, 1820. He 
was for awhile a student in Washington College; made a special 
study of surveying, which he practiced as a part of his business. 
He was a large full-blooded specimen of the Holland race, and 
possessed a mind of no ordinary caste. He was said to be 
more the image of his grandfather, Captain Van Voorhis, 
than any of the name in this country. He was a member of 
the original Kingold Cavalry and had rather a taste for military 
life. In August, 1844, he married Martha Houlsworth, of the 
vicinity of Jefferson, Green county. Pa. He lived and died in 
the house now owned by Nathan Wylie's heirs, near the home- 
stead. He died March 12th, 1848. His daughter, Mary 
Ruth, married a Mr. Smalley, formerly of Waynesburg, Pa., 
but now a successful farmer in the west. His daughter, Theresa 
Jane, born shortly after his death, died when a small child. 
His widow married Elijah Adams, at one time sheriff of Greene 
county. Pa. He died a few years since, leaving Martha once 
more a widow, who made her home in the west with her 
children in Kansas, where she died in 1888. Daniel was an 
active member of the Presbyterian church, being converted 
under the ministry of Pev. John Kerr after hearing a sermon 
based on the "Barren Fig Tree." His remains are in the 
Van Voorhis cemetery. Nancy and James were the twin 
children of Isaac Van Voorhis. Nancy was born on the 19th 
and James on the 21st day of August, 1821. 

Nancy was married to John Pollock by the Rev. W. F. 
Hamilton, January 1st, 1857. They lived in Monongahela 
City during the time he was connected with his uncle, Joseph 
Kiddoo, in the planing mill, which was burned in the latter 
part of 1856. Whilst residing here the little girl, Mary Jane, 
died. He operated for a time the flouring mill on Pigeon 
creek, now torn away, but for many years has resided on the 
Pollock homestead in Union township. Of their children, 



208 The Old and New Monongahela. 

Mary Jane, Coralinn, Belle and James preceded their mother 
to the better land. Isaac and Willie alone remain. Nancy 
died July 9th, 1884, at the Pollock homestead. Her pastor, 
Rev. J. F. Patterson, in a communication to the Presbyterian 
Banner^ speaks thus of her death: "Mrs. Pollock was born 
August 19th, 1821. She was the eldest daughter of Isaac and 
Mary H. Van Voorhis. Her early life was spent near 
the place of her birth. In January, 181:3, in a 
precious work of grace under the ministry of Rev. John 
Kerr, she gave her heart to the Lord and united with the 
Presbyterian church of Monongahela City. A few years 
after her marriage she moved into the bounds of the 
church of Mingo, with the membership of which she connected 
herself, remaining here a devoted follower of the Master until 
she joined the church above. Her conversion was a thorough 
one. In that good time when the spirit came to her the door 
of her heart was thrown wide open, and the Savior who came 
in was given entire possession. There in that first unreserved 
consecration to Christ was the basis of her consecrated life. 
She loved her Savior, and loving him she lived to do his will — 
He was the alpha and the omega of her life; her all in all. "" And 
so it was always the chiefest joy of her life just to follow him. 

Her Bible was her daily companion. She seemed to live iu 
the atmosphere of prayer and meditation upon God's word. 
She loved the courts of God's house, and her place in the 
sanctuary was seldom vacant, though living several miles 
away. In the darkest trials of her life, when her heart was 
almost broken, and in the severe sufferings of her last sickness, 
her religion was her solace and her support. She lived and 
died leaning on the bosom of her Savior, and death to her 
was only life. Yes, she is gone, and we feel her loss. In the 
home, in the church, and in the community where she lived, 
she is missed. But we sorrow not as those who have no hope, 
knowing that our loss is only her eternal gain. 

James Hair Van Voorhis, twin brother of Nancy Pollock, 
was given by his father, in his earlier days, the farm now 



The Old (Mid New Monongahela. 209 

owned by William Devore, in Carroll township. August, 
1846, he married Polly Smith, granddaughter of the late Dr. 
B. B. Smith, of the Forks, and also on the mother's side 
granddaughter of the Hon. George Plumer, long a member of 
Congress from Westmoreland county. After the death of 
Amzi Smith, her first husband, Polly's mother married Henry 
Fulton, at whose residence — the stone house in which Greer 
McElvain now lives, in Carroll — James and Polly were married 
by the Rev. John Kerr. Polly died July 29, 1848, leaving no 
children. James' second wife was Martha Dawson, of the 
vicinity of Springfield, Illinois. She died in the early fifties 
and was buried aside of the first wife in the Van Yoorhis 
cemetery. She left no children. 

James' third wife was a daughter of the late David Wilson, 
of Elizabeth, now Forward township, Allegheny county. He 
had by this wife several children, of whom Mary Lucinda, 
R. Finley, Grace and Anna are living, whilst Ellen, Marcie 
and Willie died within a few days of each other, and are buried 
in the Van Yoorhis cemetery. James H. sold his farm to Wm. 
Devore and moved into Monongahela City about the year 1870 
or '71. He built the fine brick house on Main street, now 
owned by Mrs. Nathan Cleaver. In April, 1876, James, with 
his family, moved to Colorado Springs, in the state of Colorado, 
where he engaged in wool growing and silver mining. He now 
is a resident of North Dakota, near Cooperstown, Griggs 
county, where he is engaged in farming. His daughter Mary 
Lucinda married James A. Loughrey, of Indiana, Pa., March 
22, 1887. They reside in Indiana, Pa. Grace married 
Beecher Cox, of Sanburn, North Dakota, where they now 
reside. James was for many years connected with the Pres- 
byterian Church of Monongahela City, of which he was 
ordained an Elder January 21, 1872. 

Rebecca, another daughter of Isaac Van Voorliis, was born 
Jan. 28, 1825, and married T. B. Stewart, as his second wife, and 
is at this time a resident of Spcareville, Kansas. Martha Jane re- 
mained at the homestead until the death of her parents. She 



210 The Old and Wew Monongahela. 

never married and now resides in Monongahela City. Theresa 
married Thomas B. Stewart, of West Virginia, in 1854, and died 
February 16, 1876, in Union township, Washington county. Pa., 
only a short distance from the place of her birth. She was a 
devoted christian, having been a member of the Presbyterian 
Church from her early youth. She left a large family of 
children, all of whom are residents of Kansas, except James 
T., who married Vivia, Patterson, and died in Monongahela 
City, March 19, 1885, and was buried in the Van Voorhis 
cemetery. The Daily Repuhlican thus speaks of his death : 
" The news of the death of the junior partner of Patterson & 
Stewart, which met our citizens this morning at the breakfast 
table, was sad news indeed. He was in health till Monday, 
the 9th, when he was attacked with typhoid fever. Keports 
of his condition from time to time, and especially in the last 
few days, had been discouraging, but it was hoped his consti- 
tution would enable him to pass the critical point at the turn of 
the fever. He died at fifteen minutes past one on Wednesday 
night. James T. Stewart was a young man of fine promise, 
active in business, and in social intercourse one of the most 
genial companions. He was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church and Librarian of the Sabbath school. 

David, her oldest son, graduated at Washington-Jett'erson 
College, and at the Western Theological Seminary, and is now 
a successful minister of the Gospel in Kansas. He is married 
and has several children. Clinton, the youngest son of Isaac 
and Mary H. Van Voorhis, married September 26, 1854, 
Julia Ann, daughter of Newton Van Voorhis, of Fallowfield. 
They reside on part of the old home farm, where he is regarded 
as one of the most successful farmers and cattle dealers in the 
eastern end of Washington county. His son Newton is mar- 
ried and now (1892) in business in Monongahela City, Pa. 
Albert has his home with his father. Willie and Nannie, ' 
darling children, passed away in childhood. His six girls arc 
all at home at this date, 1892. 

The remaining son of Isaac Van Voorhis, John S., was 



The Old and New Monongahela. 211 

born in the old hewed log house that stood where now is 
the residence of John Van Yoorhis, on the 8th day of May, 
1823. John was a pupil in the old Colhoun school, but always 
declared that he got his first ideas of education from the late 
E,. F. Cooper, Esq., who for several years was his teacher in 
the school near the toll-gate on the pike. He was always 
an admirer of Cooper's talents, and expressed strong regrets 
at his early removal by death. 

John began his college education in November, 1840, with 
Prof. J P. Thompson in the old carriage factory on Main street, 
Monongahela City. The recitations were held in the eastern 
room, upstairs, in which the Carroll Gazette was first printed, 
giving thus the place its first literary caste. 

After the death of Prof. Thompson, John recited to John 
McFarland in the Ira Butler house, opposite the paper mill in 
Catsburg. He entered the sophomore class in Washington 
College in November, 1811, and graduated in 1814, dividing 
the first honor of the class with B. W. Allen and D. C. Reed. 
He entered the office of the late Dr. R. F. Biddle, of Monon- 
gahela City, October 9th, 1844. N. A. Adams, J. H. 
Connelly and A. B. Hill were fellow students in the oflicc. 
They have all passed away. He graduated at the Jefferson 
Medical College March 25th, 1847, and settled in Bellevernon, 
Fayette county, May 25th, 1847. He was married by the Rev. 
John Kerr to Miss Betsy Plumer Smith September 7th, 1847, 
at the residence of her step father, Henry Fulton, in the house 
in Monongahela City now owned by the heirs of Richard 
Stockdale, deceased. On the 22nd of the same month and year 
the doctor and his wife set up house-keeping in the brick house 
on the corner of Main and Second street, in Bellevernon, Pa. 
They had two children, Lizzie and Isaac S. Lizzie graduated 
at Washington Female Seminary in the class of 186'6, and dur- 
ing her seminary career she united with the Presbyterian church 
under the ministrations of the Rev. James I. Brownson, I). I). 
She was married to J. C. Cunningham by the Rev. L. Y. 
Graham, March 30th, 1871. She was born June 30th, 1848, 



212 The Old and New Monongahela. 

and died November 26th, 1877, in Bellevernon, the town of 
her birth. She left her husband and little Bettie, a darling 
child, to mourn her death. Bettie is now (1892) a graduate of 
the Pennsylvania College for Women, of Bittsburgh, Pa. Her 
mother was a devoted christian and worker in the church. At 
her death she was a member of Rehoboth, the church of her 
parents, grand parents and great grand parents on her mother's 
side of the family. In the graveyard of that old church can be 
seen, near the main entrance, a beautiful marble slab, standing 
on a double marble base, surrounded with flowers of almost 
endless variety, bearing the inscription ' ' Lizzie Van Yoorhis, 
wife of J. C. Cunningham, born June 30th, 1848, died 
November 26th, 1877." 

"But if arouud my place of sleep, 

The friends I love should come to weep ; 
Soft airs aud song and light and bloom, 
Should keep them lingering by my tomb." 

And on the marble base of the slab is inscribed: 

I will behold thy face in rightousness. 
I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness." 

Death of Mrs. James H. Yan Vookhis. 
I From the Griggs Courier. '\ 

Died at her late residence, near Cooperstown, Griggs county, 
North Dakota, August 29th, 1893, Martha J., wife of James 
H. Yan Yoorhis, aged 59 years and three days. 

Weary and worn with long and painful battling with disease, 
the common foe of mankind, Mrs. Martha Yan Yoorhis "fell 
asleep" Tuesday at mid-day in her home west of town. For 
a number of days she has been unconscious, and apparently 
making her way slowly but surely through the "Shadow of the 
Yalley of Death." . When at length the end came, the spirit 
stole out of its clay house as silently as a mother from her 
babe's crib when he falls asleep. Mrs. Yan Yoorhis had been 
suifering from a complication of trouble since last spring, and 
especially from a stomach difficulty which has been before a 



TIk ( >hl (iild Neir J/oiioiigahchi . 218 

source of perplexity. Some two months. and a half ago she 
met with a stroke of paralysis which affected her entire left 
side. It was thought then that she w^ould not live but a few 
days,- but she has lingered along all these weeks, a great trial 
to herself and those about her. 

Mrs. Van Yoorhis was born in Allegheny county. Pa., 59 
years ago last Saturday. For the past 11 years she has lived 
in North Dakota. She came into this state, together with her 
family, from Colorado, and was well established in a pleasant 
home when this last sickness came upon her. When a young 
woman she confessed her faith in Christ, and at the time of her 
death was a member in the Congregational Church of this city. 
Mrs. Van Voorhis and her husband have always been highly 
esteemed by the community which is pained to hear of her 
death. She leaves, together with her husband, four children, 
two married daughters, Mrs. J. A. Loughry, of Indiana, Pa., 
and Mrs. A. B. Cox, of Sanborn, and an unmarried son and 
daughter at home. Mrs. McCord, a sister from Zanesville, 
Ohio, was with her when she died, having come here a short 
time ago. 

The funeral was conducted by the Rev. O: P. Champlin, 
from her late residence, on Thursday afternoon, and the re- 
mains were interred in the Cooperstown cemetery. The family 
has the sympathy of the entire community. 

Mks. Lizzie Van Voorhis Cunningham. 

I We insert the following tribute to lier memory from llie Presbyterian Buniicr. \ 

In Memokiam. — In Bellevernon, Pa., om Monday morning, 
November 26 th, 1877, Mrs. Lizzie Van Voorhis Cunningham 
fell asleep in Jesus. 

She was the only daughter of Doctor J. S. and Elizabeth J*. 
Van Voorhis, and wife of J. C. Cunningham. She was born 
in Bellevernon, June 30th, 184:8; united with the Presbyterian 
f'hurch of Washington, Pa,, under the ministrations of Rev, J. 
I. Brownson, D. D., in 186G, whilst a pupil in the Female 

16 



214 The Old and Nei" M<n)iin(/<i1iela. 

Seminary of that place, from which institution she graduated 
in the same year. Upon leaving school she transferred her 
connection to Rehoboth church in which connection she died. 
To those who knew her best, her life from the time of her 
Christian profession gave evidence that she was a true member 
of the great Church Invisible, one of those whose names are 
written in heaven. 

But it was when the Great Refiner cast her into the furnace 
that the pure gold of her Christian character shown with sur- 
passing luster. Few persons have more to bind them to life. 
She was eminently happy in her family ties — with a devoted 
husband, a sweet child, father, mother and an only brother, to 
all of whom she was devotedly attached. Gifted by nature, 
cultured and accomplished, endowed with great executive 
ability, she longed to be one of Christ's workers in the world 
and Church. She was deeply interested in Sabbath school 
work, and but a few days before her death she expressed, in 
broken whispers, her joy that all the class for which she had 
labored and prayed had professed faith in Christ and united 
with his Church. 

For years she made a brave struggle with disease, but when 
it became clear that God would have her suffer his will, rather 
than do it, she cheerfully laid down the work she loved, and 
through months of protracted and often fearful suffering, she 
glorified the grace of God by a faith and patience which never 
failed. God's word was the manna which sustained her, the 
rod and staff upon which she leaned during that long and fear- 
ful passage of the Jordan when the waters overflowed all its 
banks. " Out of the depths " she praised God in the language 
of the 103d and 23d Psalms. 

In the days of her health she was passionately fond of and 
proficient in music, and often in those last days of feverish 
restlessness she would ask those about her to sing, herself 
selecting the old hymns of the church which she had learned 
and loved when a child. She longed to depart — to be with 
Christ; often exclaiming, "I long to go; come quickly. Lord 



The Old and Nein Mononaahela. 215 

Jesus. ' ' Her clear mind was never for a moment dimmed by the 
power of disease. At the last moment she gave mute assent to 
the question, ''is Jesus yet with you'd "" And the bright smile 
with which she departed tokl that she saw the glory and was 
entering upon it. 

" Death hath made no breach 
In love and sympathy, in hope and trust; 
No outward sign or sound our ears can reach ; 
But there's an inward spiritual. speech 
That greets us still, though mortal tongue be dust. 
It bids us do the work that she laid down, 
Take up the song where she broke off the strain, 
So journeying till we reach the heavenly town. 
Where are laid up our treasures and our crown. 
And our lost loved ones will be found again." 

The Pittsburgh Evening Telegraph of November 2r), 1877, 
in a notice of her death, says : 

"Mrs. Lizzie Cunningham, wife of J. C. Cunningham and 
daughter of Dr. J. S. Van Yoorhis, of Bellevernon, died this 
morning, after a long and painful illness. Mrs. Cunningham 
by her amiable disposition and generous nature, won many 
friends who will sympathise with the family in this their sad 
bereavement. The church too, of which she was a member, 
will lose an earnest an enthusiastic worker." 

The Washington Reporf(^r concludes a notice with the re- 
mark that " Mrs. Cunningham was a former pupil of the Wash- 
ington Female Seminary and has many warm friends in this 
community." Col. Chill Hazzard in an editorial notice says: 

Only Gone Before. — We note with sincere sympathy for 
her friends and relatives, the death of Mrs. Lizzie Cunning- 
ham, at her late residence in Bellevernon, Pa., on Monday 
morning, November 26, 1877, at live o'clock. She was the 
wife of J. C. Cunningham and only daughter of John S. Van 
Voorhis, M. D. The funeral took place this morning at ten 
o'clock. Her days have been happy and full of gladness. 
Her life was a, song — a prayer — a kiss — a ministry of peace. 
Unselfish, she acknowledged no duty but to do good to others. 
Forgetful ')f self she never forgot those about her. Unusually 



210 Tlie Old and New Monongahela. 

gifted with musical power, she gave way to its inspiration, and 
knew no greater delight than to sit down with the greatest 
masters, whose most intricate problems she loved to overcome. 
Above all her purest devotion and affection were given to her 
Savior, and in the interest of his church her zeal was only 
bounded by the limit of possibility. Truly she hath done what 
she could. And it is a sweet consolation to wounded hearts 
to know that in the hour of suffering and pain His arms were 
about her. 

Dr. Yan Yoorhis removed with his family to Monongahela 
City April 1, 1855. Returned to Bellevernon August 3, 1858, 
where he remains to (1893) this day. Whilst a resident of 
Washington county he represented it in the lower house of the 
Legislature in the sessions of 1857. In the summer of 1885, 
in company of his son, he traveled through Europe. 

Isaac S., the only son of Dr. ,1. S. Yan Yoorhis, was born 
in Bellevernon, June 5, 1851. He was a student in Washing- 
ton and Jefferson College for nearly four years; in the fall of 
1871 he entered the College of New Jersey at Princeton, from 
which he graduated in the class of 1873. He studied law with 
the late Hon. Theodore Cuyler, of Philadelphia; was admitted 
to the bar in that city in September of 1875, and in October 
of the same year to the Pittsburgh bar, where he has secured 
a lucrative practice. He was married by the Rev. L. Y. 
Graham in Philadelphia April 9, 1878, to Miss Genevieve 
Geib of the same city. They have two children: John S., 
born April 24, 1880, and Lavinia, born January 10th, 1885. 
They reside in Pittsburgh. 

THE SMITH FAMILY. 

Dr. Bel a SMrrn 

Was born in Connecticut in 1762, and came to the ''Forks of 
Yough ^ between the years 1785 and 1789, and died October 
17th, 1841, in the house recently torn down by Harry Markle 
to make place for his present beautiful residence. This old 



The Old and New Monongahela. 217 

house was near the end of the West Newton bridge in Rostraver 
township, in Westmorehind county. The Doctor was highly 
educated, especially in polite literature and general science, 
and in manner was an accomplished gentleman. He studied 
medicine before leaving his native state. He immigrated to the 
Forks ostensibly as a yankee school teacher, and as such 
obtained a school in the lower Forks in the neighborhood where 
lie first tarried over night. During the progress of his school 
a little child became very sick in the family with whom he 
boarded. A doctor from the region of Brownsville was called 
who visited the child every third day. One night the patient 
grew worse to the alarm of the household. The school teacher 
was aroused from his sleep. On looking at the little sufferer, 
he remarked that (if it was agreeable) "he had in his saddle 
bags a preparation which he thought would help it. ' ' He gave 
the medicine, under which it so rapidly improved as not to 
require any longer the physician who had been attending it. 
During the recovery of the patient the mother remarked to her 
benefactor, "you are no school teacher, but a doctor, and I 
want you to put out your shingle, and I will board you until 
you earn money enough to pay me."" He took her advice, 
and in a short time acquired an extensive and lucrative practice. 
He married Elizabeth Patterson, who died May 23, 1844, in 
the same house in which the Doctor died. This property to 
which we have alluded, called "Allison Delight,'' was deeded 
to him in 1791, and has always been known as the Dr. Smith 
homestead. He left a very large landed estate to his children. 
Kepresentatives of four generations lie hurried in the Rehoboth 
graveyard, and one of the fifth in the West Newton cemetery. 
His son, Ebenezer, died in early life; Amanda died September 
IG, 1819, in her 19th year; Alvira died September 12, 1832; 
she was the first wife of John Niccolls, who at one time owned 
the farm in Carroll now owned by Grier McElvain, also the 
farm on which the Gibsonton mills now stand, below Bellever- 
non, he is still living, as far as we know, in Bloomington, Ills. 
Elizabeth, or as she was familiarlv called, Betsv, married John 



"lib The Old and JVetv Monongahela. 

Housman, and died May 27, 1834. She was the mother of 
Bela S. Housman, still a resident of Rostraver, and of E. F. 
Housman, now a resident of Greensburg, Pa. Samuel 
Stanhope, son of Dr. Smith, died unmarried January 29, 1859. 
Talitha Cumi died unmarried April 13, 1846. Polly married 
Hugh Wright. She died March 20, 1822, and her husband 
November 20, 1826. Both remains are in Rehoboth church 
yard. Ezra, one of the sons of Hugh and Polly Wright, re- 
moved west in early life and resided many years near the town 
of Nashville, in Illinois, where he died, just at what date we 
are not informed. The Rensselaer Gazette^ of Indiana, in notic- 
ing his death pays a glowing tribute to his memory. 

Ezra was the grandson of John Wright, who lived in the 
' ' Forks of Yough ' ' on the farm lately owned by the heirs of 
James S. Power. John Wright died May 1, 1833, aged 87 
years, and was buried in Rehoboth graveyard. He left as sons 
James, Phillip, Joseph, John and Hugh, the latter of whom 
was the father of Ezra. Hugh Wright and Polly lived in the 
house long known as the Hassler mansion, on the Wright farm 
where Ezra was born. Ezra was a cousin on the father's side 
of Judge Wright who so long resided in Washington, D. C, 
during the winter and at Berkeley springs during the summer. 
Ezra on the mother's side was a cousin of E. F. Housman, of 
Greensburg, Bela B. Smith, of Rostraver, and Mrs. Dr. Van 
Voorhis, of Bellevernon. He was a brother of Mrs. Hiram 
Patton and John Wright, of Fayette county, Pa. Ezra re- 
moved to Jasper county, Indiana, in 1844, when that county 
was new and undeveloped. He settled near Rensselaer, where 
he carried on the tannery business. He was elected county 
treasurer in 1857 and re-elected in 1859; in 1861 was elected 
to the state senate, and in 1865 to the lower house. In his 
career as a public officer he was always conscientious and ener- 
getic, and acted up to highest conceptions of truth and justice. * 
In private life he was a zealous christian and loyal to his con- 
victions of right. In 1871 he removed to southern Illinois 
where he engaged in fruit culture until he died. 



The Old and New M<)n(>u(j(thcl((. 215^ 

Bela B. Smith, son of the Doctor's, died April 27, 1859, 
in the house now occupied by his grandson, Joseph H. Smith. 
His wife was Nancy Plumer, a daughter of the Hon. George 
Plumer. He died March 12, 1870. Esq. Bela B. Smith w^s 
for many years a prominent and useful man in his native town- 
ship of Kostraver. He was elected Justice of the Peace for 
many years, and was by all parties looked upon as a just and 
upright judge, and as such his place was hard to fill. 

Bela B. Smith left a son and two daughters, one daughter hav- 
ing preceded him to the better world. His daughter Elizabeth 
married James Todd, wdio died at Beaver Falls, Pa., not many 
years since. His wife still resides in that place. The daughter, 
Margaret L., married J. Westley Douglass, for many years a 
prominent educator in Westmoreland county, but recently a 
merchant of West Newton, in the same county. Bela B. 
Smith, Jr., son of Bela B. Smith, Esq., married Elizabeth 
Housman and resides on the old home place in Rostraver, 
where he was born. He has long been an active and useful 
Elder in Rehoboth church. Ami Ruhami, another son of Dr. 
Smith, was born in Rostraver, October 29, 1803, died October 
27, 1883. His remains are in Rehoboth graveyard. His first 
wife was a Miss Clark, from Connellsville, Pa. She died Oc- 
tober 27, 1854. They had several children, among whom 
were John, Elizabeth, Ross, Sarah Ann, married to John 
Flannegan, and Maggie, who is the sole survivor of the child- 
ren and parents. She now resides in West Newton, Pa. Sarah 
Ann Flannegan died February 2, 1888. The second wife of 
Ami Ruhami was Mary Jane Power, sister of John Power, of 
Monongahela City, and mother of Mary Jane Power Smith, 
who died at the house of John Power, in that place, March 11, 
1883. From the Daily Rejtnhlican we extract the following 
notice of her death : 

"Mary Jennie Power-Smith, adopted daughter of Mr. John 
Power, of this city, died at her home on Sabbath morning, 
at 10:30 o'clock, in her 25th year, of nem-algia. Funeral 
on Tuesday at one o'clock, Monongahela cemetery. She 



220 The Old and Ntm MonnngaMa. 

was the daiigliter of Ami R. Smith, of Rostraver, 
and came to Mr. and Mrs. Power's to live when but three 
weeks old, and has lived with them as their own child (the 
daughter of Mr. Power's sister,) growing up a lovely girl and 
charming woman. Jennie was more than ordinarily lovely in 
her disposition. She seemed to have the especial faculty of 
being happy, and her home was tilled with tlie light of every- 
thing that her love could brighten. 

She united with Pigeon Creek Church at the age of fourteen, 
and recently by certificate with the Presbyterian Church of 
Monongahela City, 

Jennie has gone, for so it happened that ' Two angels went 
out the doorway where but one went in.' " 

Ami Ruhami's third wife was Mary Beezel, daughter of the 
late Luke Beezel, of Rostraver. The issue of this marriage 
was their only daughter Lizzie, who died at Webster, Pa., 
August 12, 1884. 

Ami Ruliami joined Rehoboth church in 1829, under the 
ministration of Rev. Robert Johnson, never having severed 
his connection. Whilst in health he' not often failed to be in 
his seat. In all his dealings with men and the church he was 
prompt and upright. He passed to the grave not only (^Id and 
full of years, but carrying with him the universal love of his 
fellow men, and with the brightest prospects of a glorious im- 
mortality. Hari'iet, daughter of Dr. Smith Fuller, late of 
Connellsville, Pa. She was the mother of Dr. Smith Fuller 
and Amzi S. Fuller, both of IJniontown, Pa. 

Micajah P., another son of Dr. Bela Smith, died at his late 
residence in the village of Laurel, near Washington, D. C, 
May 14, 1884. Llis remains arrived by railroad at West 
Newton, Pa., May 16, and at 11 o'clock a. m. the funeral 
took place from the residence of his son-in-law, Harry Markle, 
The remains were followed to the cemetery by a large concourse 
of his former fellow citizens and others that had grown up 
around his old home. The services were conducted by the 
Rev. James Nicols, pastor of the Presbyterian church of 



i 



The Old and Nent Monongakela. 221 

Laurel, of wliicli the deceased was a member, and by the Kev. 
J. C. Meloy, of West Newton. The remains were deposited 
in the family lot in the cemetery of which he was the origina- 
tor — there let them repose until the resurrection. He was 
born May 12, 1814, in the old Smith mansion in Rostraver 
township, Westmoreland county, Pa., now owned by his 
nephew, Bela B. Smith, and in which his grand nephew, 
Joseph H. Smith, resides. His first wife was Maria Markle, 
who died January 17, 1851. They had as children Harmar 
D., late postmaster at West Newton, but now a resident of 
Kansas. Ebenezer was born February 25, 1840, and was 
killed in the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. 
His remains repose in the cemetery where now lay those of his 
father. Amzi has long been connected with the United States 
Senate as superintendent of the document room where he is 
regarded by all parties as an honest and upright man, and as 
an officer whose services are so highly appreciated as to com- 
mand the continued support of every senator. Markle, the 
youngest, returned from the west recently and is now a resident 
of West Newton. Lizzie is the wife of John Krepps, of 
Allegheny City, who enjoys his summer residence at the old 
home of Ami Ruhami Smith in Rostraver. Amanda is not 
nuirried, and has her home at this time in Washington, D. C. 
Allie married Harry Markle, and are now living in their 
new home, erected on the site of the former home of her father 
near the Rostraver end of the West Newton bridge. Micajah's 
second wife was Mrs. Brown, of Jamestown, N. Y. They had 
two children: Hattie E., who died October 14, 1860, and 
Eva, the wife of Mr. Fay, residing in Washington, D. C. 
Micajah was the youngest of twelve children of Dr. Bela 
Smith, the "pioneer" physician of the "Forks." He was 
the last born and the last to die. He left his home in the old 
house erected by his father a few months after the first inaugu- 
ration of President Lincoln and became an attache of the census 
bureau, and subsequently was transferred to the Indian depart- 
ment. For nuinv years of his eai'lv life he was identified with 



2*22 The Old and jVcw Monorujaliela. 

West Ncwtorfs social, financial, religious and political interests. 
He was always in the front in originating and executing any 
new enterprise. He was an active co-worker with General 
Larimer, the Plumers, the Markles and others, in the old 
Youghiogheny slack water enterprise, and many will yet call 
to mind his beautiful speech at the reception given on the occa- 
sion of the arrival of the first steamboat at West Newton. 
Before his removal to Washington, D. C, he had been an 
elder in the Presbyterian church, and among his latest good 
deeds in the town of his youth was the giving life to the ceme- 
tery in which his remains are now interred. Peace to his 
memory. "The old oaks are falling."' 

Amzi, the remaining son of Dr. Bela Smith, died January 
7, 1831, in the Slst year of his age, in West Newton, Pa. 
He left a wife and four daughters. His wife was Elizabeth 
Plumer, daughter of Hon. George Plumer. Polly was the 
wife of James H. Van Yoorhis, now of Cooperstown, Dakota. 
She died near Monongahela City, July 29, 184:8, leaving no 
children. Amanda was the wife of a man the name of John 
C. Carr. She died in Mont«cello, 111., March, 1859. Mar- 
garet L. was the oldest of Amzi's children. She died in 
Kehoboth Valley, July 29, 1849. She was the wife of J. 
Crawford Cook, who died September 3, 1858, near Fayette 
City, Pa. They left one child, a daughter who married J. B. 
Speer, now of Marshalltown, Iowa. We extract from the 
Presbyterian Advocate the following notice of the death of 
Mrs. Margaret L. Cook: 

Died, on the 29th day of July, 1849, at her residence in 
Eehoboth Valley, Fayette county, Pa., Mrs. Margaret L., wife 
of J. C. Cook, in the 26th year of her age. 

In recording the virtues of the dead, we are too apt to over- 
look all faults, and extol and even over-rate the higher qualities; 
but if truth should ever be our untiring guide it should be in 
such cases. Though we may deceive and flatter the friends of 
the dead by obituary notices, we cannot influence Him who 
stands as the judge of the quick and the dead. The subject of 



Tilt' Old and New Monongalida. 223 

the preseut notice was an object of very prolonged affliction. 
It was her \ot to be sorely afflicted for months ere she de- 
parted, and she bore all with humble submission and Christian 
f(^rtitude. She never was known to murmur against the will 
of the Lord; but often said, "the will of the Lord be done, 
blessed be His holy name.'" During her long suffering she 
seemed lost to the affairs of this world, and appeared wholly 
absorbed in the contemplation of and preparation for eternity. 

She had a longing desire to be with Christ, and seemed 
anxious for the arrival of the hour when her spirit would take 
its flight to the bosom of God. When she would recover from 
a state of partial delirium she would often inquire whether she 
had said anything that would tend to dishonor Christ or erect 
stumbling blocks in the way of his enemies. 

She had been a member of the Presbyterian church for 
many years, and lived a life devoted to the service of her 
Master, and fully maintained, at her closing hour, her ardent 
attachment to the cause of Christ. 

Of Amzi Smith's four daughters, none of whom are now 
(1893) living except Betsy, wife of Dr. J. S. Yan Voorhis, of 
Bellevernon, Mrs. Smith married as her second husband Henry 
Fulton, of West Newton. He moved to the farm in Carroll 
township, Washington county, now owned by Greer McElvain, 
in the spring of 1841. He moved to Monongahela City in 
1847. He died at the house of John Power in Nottingham 
township, in the same county, April 13, 1869: his wife having 
died October 5, 1868. Abram Fulton, the father of Henry, 
came from Ireland, bringing his son, Abram, with him. Henry 
Fulton's first wife was Rebecca Jack. By this wife Henry had 
four children, viz: Abram, John, Jane and Ellen. Abram 
died years ago at Columbus City, Iowa. John has long been 
a resident of San Francisco, California. Jane married John 
Power September 13, 1836; they were long residents of Mon- 
ongahela City, Pa. Ellen married Dr. Isctt, and after bis 
death she married a man the name of Nichols; at last account 
they were residins- in Iowa. 



224 The Old and New Monoou/ahela. 

Henry Fulton's second wife was Elizabeth Taylor. They 
had two children, Elizabeth and Rebecca. Elizabeth died in 
Washington, Pa., in 1866, unmarried. Rebecca married 
William J. Power; both died in the Pigeon creek Presbyterian 
congregation. They had a large family of children, among 
whom are Henry F. and William, elders in the Presbyterian 
church at Pigeon creek. 

Henry Fulton's third wife was Mary Chapin. They had 
three children, James P., Margaret and Hannah. James P. 
graduated at Washington College in the class of 1846, and also 
graduated at the Western Theological Seminary. He married 
Miss Fannie Shouse of Monongahela City. After preaching 
successfully at different churches in Pennsylvania, he finally 
settled in Harper, Kansas, where he was the pioneer minister 
of the Presbyterian church in that region, and where his labors 
have been blessed especially in organizing churches and in 
erecting church buildings. By judicious investments he has 
acquired considerable wealth, which enables him to live com- 
fortably and arms him with still greater power to do good. 
His son, William S., graduated at Lafayette College, and is 
now one of the most prominent ministers of the Presbyterian 
church in Kentucky. He has been located for many years at 
Lexington in that state. Henry C, another son, studied med- 
icine with Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis of Bellevernon, graduated at 
the Jefferson Medical College, and is now located at Asotin, in 
the state of Washington. Two other brothers are located in 
business in the same vicinity. Margaret, daughter of Henry 
Fulton married September 5th, 1855, James Means, of Mifiiin 
township, Allegheny county. Pa., where they have lived ever 
since their marriage. Their son, Henry F., graduated at 
Washington and Jefferson College and at the Western Theolo- 
gical Seminary, and is now^ pastor of a church in Centre county, 
Pa. Their son, Nathan, also is a graduate of Washington and 
Jefferson College, studied law in the offiee of Moreland & 
Kerr, and is now a member of the Pittsburgh bar. 

Hannah, daughter of Henry Fulton by his third wife, was 



The Old and Ne>n M.onongaJiela. 225 

inaiTied to Jonas Munson, of Connellsville, Pa. Tliey lived 
for a time in a house on the river bank at what was known at 
that time as Fulton's hinding, on the farm now owned by Greer 
McElvain, in Carroll. Whilst living in this house their little 
children, Mary, Elizabeth and Isaac Fulton, died of scarlet 
fever, the former June 3 and the latter July 12, 1849. Their 
remains are still in the old graveyard on the hill, surrounded 
by a neat iron fence. Shortly after the death of these little 
ones, Jonas Munson went to California to try his fortune in the 
new Eldorado on the Pacific coast. In a few years his wife 
and little Jennie joined him. They settled near Cold Springs 
where he carried on business in its different branches. He was 
attacked one time by some prospecting tramps and so severely 
beaten with picks and other tools as to be left on the ground 
as dead; his skull was so injured as to require the taking out of 
a part of the table of the skull two inches wide and four inches 
long; the ])iece so removed the writer has in his possession. 
He lived many years after this occurrence, but died in his new 
home, never having returned to this country. He left his 
wife and four children. His wife paid a visit to her native 
home some time before his death. She died not long after her 
return to California. 

Ilem-y Fulton, by his fourth wife (Mrs. Smith), had five 
children living at the time of his death, viz: Sarah, Nancy, 
George P., Almira and Robert H. Sarah married, May 24, 
1864, Rev. J. H. Stevenson, now pastor of the Presbyterian 
church at Mount Carmel, Illinois. Sarah graduated at Wash- 
ington Female Seminary in the class of 1857. Their daughters 
Judith Mary, and Sallie are graduates of the same Institution. 
Nancy graduated at the Steubenville Seminary, but in what 
class we cannot state. She is the wife of Rev. R. T. I'rice, 
pastor of the church of Scio, Harrison county, Ohio. Their 
oldest daughter Bessie married a Mr. Robinson, and now lives 
in Louisiana. 

Almira married Rev. E. P. Lewis, who is at this time pastor 
"f a l*resbyterian church \\\ St. Paul, Minnesota. Their oldest 



226 The Old and Wew Monongahela. 

child, Eddie, in his eleventh year died, whilst they resided in 
Rochester, Penn'a. He was a bright boy and of fair promise. 
Robert H., youngest son of Henry Fulton, graduated at 
Washington and Jefferson College in the class of 1866. He 
also graduated at Western Theological Seminary. Shortly 
after he was licensed to preach he was called to the pastorate 
of a Presbyterian church in Baltimore, Md. He is now and 
has been for some years pastor of the Northminster church in 
Philadelphia, where he ranks among the most talented and 
successful ministers in that city. At the annual commencement 
in 1887 he had the honorary degree of D. I), conferred on him 
by his Alma Mater. 

George P. Fulton 

The remaining son of Henry Fulton, was born in West Newton, 
Pa.., November 1, 1833, and died October 4, 1887, and was 
buried at Rehoboth, Westmoreland county. The Monongahela 
RepidMcan,, printed in the place of his early life, in a notice of 
his death, says: "He was the son of Henry and Elizabeth 
Plumer Fulton, well known former citizens of this city. The 
deceased was a grandson of the Hon. Geo. Plumer, who 
represented Westmoreland county in Congress from 1821 to 
1829. His grandmother on his mother's side was a daughter 
of Alex. Lowrey, a member of the convention which framed 
the Pennsylvania State Constitution of 1776. His father and 
mother were residents of this city for many years. The de- 
ceased was educated in the common schools of West New- 
ton and this city, and took a partial course in Washington 
College. His life was devoted to teaching in the common 
schools. At seventeen years of age he tauglit his first school 
at the Cross Roads in Rostraver township, Westmoreland 
county; his next teaching was in Bellevernon, Pa., during the 
years of 1852 and \53. 

He was teaching in the vicinity of Fayette City, Pa., when 
in 1862 he entered the Federal army, enlisting in the 155th 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. At the close of the war 



The Old amd Nev Monomjahela. 227 

he was engaged in the Quartermaster's department at Wash- 
ington, D. C. In 1870 he was elected Principal of the Hiland 
public school in the city of Pittsburgh, with which he has been 
connected ever since, and in June last he was unanimously re- 
elected for a term of three years. His success in teaching was 
unmeasured, and his personal popularity was well attested in 
the sympathy and condolence expressed in every community 
in which he ever resided. His loss as a teacher will be only 
fully estimated in the hearts of those who have for over one- 
third of a century shared the wisdom of his rich mind, and the 
kindness of his heart overflowing with tender feeling for those 
around him. His mission was to enrich the young mind with 
not only knowledge, but to cultivate the inner and more heav- 
enly emotions that reign in the immortal spirit. Blessed be 
God, the world's loss is his gain. He went down to the grave 
with the bright hopes of awakening in the morning with the 
full realization of that everlasting rest which he often said 
could alone be secured through the blood of Christ. His 
remains, at his own request, were interred in the Kehoboth 
graveyard, along side of his father and mother, beneath the 
trees which he had ordered to be planted years ago. 

Prof. Fulton married, when a young man, Miss Frazer, a 
relative of the Hon. R. S. Frazer, of the Allegheny county bar. 
He has four children living — Dr. Henry Fulton, who at present 
supplies his father's place as principal; W. E. Fulton, a well 
known attorney; and Robert and Nannie, who are both children 
under 16 years of age. His family relations have ever been 
of the most admirable character. 

Another paper, in giving an account of the funeral services, 
remarks; " Last night Rev. J. P. E. Kumler, of the East End 
Presbyterian church, conducted the funeral services over the 
remains of Prof. George P. Fulton, at the hitter's late home in 
the East End. The services were simple in character, consist- 
ing only of prayer and an eloquent address. Among Rev. 
Kumler's remarks were the following: 'We have gathered to 
]>ay tri])ute to the friend now cold in death. The expressions 



^28 The Old and New Monon(/<(hela. 

of sorrow at his departure are not confined to his own house- 
hold. They fall from lips of every one in the community in 
which he performed his trying labors, and are uttered also by 
those with whom he came in public contact. We all know how 
trying are the duties of those engaged in his profession. His 
Christian character, his even temperament, and an unusual 
att'ability charmed away their burdensomness. The yoke of 
duty was to him a yoke of pleasantness. He is not dead. It 
is simply the crumbling about him of a house in which he was 
the august tenant. His belief in Christ, and the knowledge 
that Christ would dissolve all earthly doubts and mysteries in 
the ineffable light of heaven limned the fall of the awful 
shadow with effulgent light. He has passed away, and naught 
remains now but to say that he is in an abode of blissful rest, 
and to commend to the care of the loving Savior the widow, 
now in lamentation, the children he so nobly reared to the 
manifold duties of life, and the tenderer ones who have yet to 
fathom its perplexities.' At the conclusion of the services the 
remains were viewed by several hundred." 

Prof. Geo. P. Fulton's Mother, 

She was Elizabeth, daughter of the Hon. Ge<\ Plumer, for 
many years a member of Congress of Westmoreland county, 
Pa. She was born near West Newton, Pa., in 1803. After 
her marriage to Amzi Smith they lived in that place and in 
Postraver until Amzi's death, January 7, 1831. After, her 
marriage to Henry Fulton they lived in West Newton until the 
spring of 1841, when the family moved to the Cooper-Lynn 
farm above Monongahela City, now owned by Greer McEl vain. 
In the spring of 1847 they moved to Monongahela City, occupy- 
ing the house now owned by the heirs of Richard Stockdale. 
There Mr. Fulton carried on the tannery located in the rear of 
the same lot on which the house stood. He afterwards bought 
the old Cooper tannery, which occupied part oi the lot on which 
.Tas. P. Shepler's residence now stands, on the pike above 
(Jhess street. Fulton built the house on Third street, above 



The Old and New Monongahela. 229 

Chess street, on part of the tannery lot, where he resided until 
he moved to Washington, Pa., in the early sixties. In 1867 
Fulton removed to Brownsville, where Mrs. Fulton, October 5, 
1808, died. The Rev. W. S. Plumer, D. D., in an article 
published a short time after her death, ^tates : "Died, in 
Brownsville, Fayette county. Pa., on the 5th of October, 1868, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Plumer Fulton, daughter of the late Hon. George 
Plumer, of Westmoreland county. Pa., and wife pf Henry 
Fulton, Esq., in the 65th year of her age. 

This excellent lady had at various times seen great trials and 
afflictions ; but if she lost a child she seemed determined not 
to lose the benefit of such bereavement. She had a very good 
mind well stored with Bible knowledge, and well established 
in the doctrines of grace. Her last end was peace. She was 
in full possession of her faculties till her eyes closed in death. 
During her last illness she spoke freely of her own decease, 
gave her blessing to those around her, and a charge concerning 
her burial. The light of the Redeemer's countenance was 
abundantly shed upon her soul. From her birth she had been 
well cared for and early instructed in the great truths of reli- 
gion. By one still living it is remembered that her grand- 
father, Jonathan Plumer, "the Indian's friend,'" and the 
zealous Elder, spent the night of her birth in prayer, devoting 
her to God with many prayers and tears. Her excellent 
parents always set before her an example of serious piety, and 
often prayed with her, and for her. Dear, gentle, faithful, 
loving one, we shall see thy meek and pleasant face no more 
on earth. But christians have no final partings with eacli 
other. Thou hast wept thy last tear, heaved thy last sigh, 
suffered thy last pang ! Blessed be God for all his grace and 
mercy to thee ! If we are faithful we shall soon join in thy 
worship around the throne of God and the Lamb. 

A writer in the same ]iaper, in a notice of her death, says: 
"Mrs. Fulton was descended from a line of godly ancestors, 
dating back to the settlement of America, when the Huguenot 
fathers left possessions and country for freedom to worship 



230 The bid and Netv Monongaliela. 

God. She was the daughter of Hon. George Plumer of pious 
memory. Carefully trained in the doctrines of the Presbyterian 
church, parental faithfulness was awarded in her early conver- 
sion. To the close of her life she was a consistent and devoted 
member of the church whose doctrines and privileges she loved 
with no ordinary affection. Ever ready to do good as she had 
opportunity, the care of a large family and feeble health con- 
fined her efforts, in a measure, to her own family circle. But 
here she was eminently faithful — careful to teach her children 
by both precept and example; she prayed much with and for 
them. She often said with much feeling, " I have never sought 
earthly honors or riches for my children; but Oh I I have 
sought the riches of the Kingdom. She was called to pass 
through many afflictions. Sad change, sore bereavements and 
great bodily sufferings were in turn permitted to try her faith; 
but to one who by her death bed was alluding to her trials, she 
replied, "Goodness and mercy have followed me all the days 
of my life. '' 

Although for some months her health had l)een failing, no 
immediate danger was apprehended by the family, yet she set 
her house in order, and when at last the messenger came 
suddenly, she was ready. 

God's grace was very abundant to her in her last hours, 
enabling lier fearlessly, even joyfully, to meet the last enemy, 
of whom all her life she had been greatly afraid. Her intellect 
was unclouded to the last moment of her life, and amid great 
bodily anguish she was enabled "to rejoice in the hope of the 
glory of God,'' and thus passed away "to bo forever with the 
Lord."" "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. ' " 

The Monongaliela Rcjjiihllcatu in reference to her death, 
says: 

Died. — October 5, 1868, at her late residence in Brownsville, 
Pa., in the 65th year of her age, Mrs. Elizabeth Plumer 
Fulton, wife of Henry Fulton, formerly of this city. Mrs. 
Fulton was well known in this community as an eminently pious 



The Old and New Monongahela. 231 

and devoted christian. She was a member of the Presbyterian 
church for more than forty years, and the walk and conversa- 
sation of her life gave ample evidence of the heavenly inherit- 
ance which awaited her at death. She lived for Christ, and 
died rejoicing in the full hope of that immortality which is in 
reserve for the people of God. 

After the death of his wife Mr. Henry Fulton became a 
member of the family of Mr. John Power, in Bellevernon, 
Pa., and on their removal to the Rankin farm, on Mingo, in 
Washington county, he went with them, where he died April 
13, 1809, and his remains were interred at Rehoboth beside 
his wife. 

Death of Mrs. Mary P^inley. 

This estimable and christian lady died at the residence of 
her daughter, Mrs. Eberhart, in Winona, Minnesota, January 
29, 1864, in the seventy-third year of her age. She was the 
eldest daughter of George and Margaret Lowrey Plumer. 
George Plumer was born December 5, 1762, on a farm of 200 
acres, ,which his father, Jonathan Plumer, bought of Col. 
George Croghan, in February, 1759, now in the l7th ward of 
the city of Pittsburgh, Pa. The treaty of peace between 
England and France was signed in Paris on the Sth of Novem- 
ber preceding, by wluch all of the region westward of the 
Alleghenies to the Mississippi was ceded to the English forever. 

George Plumer and wife first lived in Puckety, seventeen 
miles above Pittsburgh, on the Allegheny river. In 1788 or 9, 
George Plumer and his wife were given by Col. Lowrey, Mrs. 
I'lumer's father, the land at the junction of Sewicklcy creek 
and the Youghiogheny river, where were born the children of 
a ha])])y union, whose memory is cherished by their descend- 
ants. In 1814 Mary Plumer married James Smith, who, with 
John C. Plumer, had been a year in Captain Markles' troop of 
horse in the war of 1812. 

James Smith was an extensive business man in lJo1)bsto\vn, 
now West Newton, for manv vears. In 1825 he reinoNcd to 



232 The Old and New Monongahela. 

Fittsburgb, where for a time he was in business. From Pitts- 
burgh he removed to Blairsville, where he had acquired a 
growing trade, but his health failed, and in August, 1829, he 
died. 

After the death of Mr. Smith the family returned to their 
old home in Robbstown. Their oldest son, George P., at an 
early age, after the death of his father, through the kindness of 
Thomas Plumer, obtained in May, 1830, a position with an 
English firm, "Simpson & Smith," on Wood street, Pitts- 
burgh. After the dissolution of this firm in 1831, he went to 
McClurg & Denniston, with wh(jm he was a boy and man, for 
five years, after which time he became a member of the firm 
of Plampton, Smith & Co., in the wholesale and retail dry 
goods business. He retired from mercantile life in 1855. He 
resides now, 1893, in Philadelphia. J. C. P. Smith, another 
son, studied law in Pittsburgh, and with his brother, A. O. P. 
Smith, are residents of the west. Finley died many years ago 
in Iowa. The only daughter, Margaret L., married William 
Eberhart, and died, as stated elsewhere, in Chicago. 

In 1835 Mrs. Mary Smith, the subject of this sketch, married 
Michael Finley, and in their new home near Rehoboth church, 
in Westmoreland county. Pa., passed 15 years most happily, 
he dying in 1850, About six or seven years after the decease 
of Mr. Finley, Mrs. Finley removed to Ohio, and finally 
settled in Winona, Minnesota, where she died. Wherever she 
lived, in whatever sphere she acted, her part was well done. 
Her company w-as sought after socially, and her influence for 
good was unbounded. We close this sketch by quoting from 
a western paper part of a notice of her death: "Her father, 
George Plumer, was said to have been the first white male 
child born under the British dominion west of the Allegheny 
mountains. Familiar from childhood with the history of the 
no])le men and women who, in perils of Indian warfare, had 
made their homes in that beautiful region, and laid deep the 
foundations of the Presbyterian church in western Pennsylvania. 
She loved to dwell on their trials, and contrast present privi- 



The Old and Neio Monongahda. 233 

leges with the narrations she had heard of early days. A 
mother indeed in Israel — beloved by all, revered and cherished 
by her children. Slie was sustained in her last hours by the 
everlasting arms of the Savior she liad loved and served through 
life and trusted in death.'' 

THE HAIR FAMILY. 
James Hair. 

Was born in Maryland, but his earlier days were passed on a 
farm near Girardstown, Berkeley county, Virginia, now West 
Virginia. He married Rebecca McKown of the same county. 
He moved his family from Virginia in 1806, and tarried for a 
time in the vicinity of Canonsburg, Washington county, Pa. 
He, in 1807, purchased from a man named Messenger the mill 
on Pigeon creek, well known in after years as Hair's mill. In 
connection with this property, he also bought the adjoining 
farm, known in those days as the Platter farm, on which he 
resided to the day of his dt3ath, which occurred September 12th, 
1826. The family at first lived in one end of the mill. He 
was a member of the Presbyterian church before he settled on 
Pigeon creek. 

James Hair served as an elder with Michael Powers and 
others in the old Horseshoe bottom meeting house, which stood 
on what was then the Crawford but now John Wilson farm, in 
Fallowfield. He was so completely identified with the Presby- 
terian church in its early day in Washington county that its 
history is that of James Hair to a very great extent. When 
the question was asked of Dr. Ralston, the pastor of Horseshoe 
meeting liouse, ho wa church could be organized in the town 
of Williamsport, now Monongahela City, he replied: "Elect 
James Hair, Esq., an elder, now already ordained, and go to 
work." Thus, at one ecclesiastical coiij) d" graee^ the old 
Horseshoe bottom congregation was swallowed up. He did 
perhaps, more for the Presbyterian church in his day than any 
of his cotemporaries. His remains, together with tliat of his 



234 The Old and Neio Monongahela. 

wife, were interred in the old Presbyterian graveyard in Mon- 
ongahela City but a few years ago — the kind hearts of his sons, 
Eev. G. M. Hair and Dr. B. W. Hair, had them removed to 
the Monongahela City Cemetery. 

James Hair was appointed justice .of the peace by Governor 
Snyder in 1811, and served as such to the day of his death. 
He kept his docket in copy-book form of foolscap paper, most 
of which docket is now in possession of the writer, and it is of 
interest to note its many and peculiar features. 

Mrs. Hair died August 18th, 1840, on the old Hair farm. 
They had a large family of children, all of whom lived to man- 
hood and w<^manhood. All were married and were members 
of the Presbyterian church. Mary, as we already have stated, 
was the wife of Isaac Van Yoorhis. John was the oldest of 
the children; he married Harriet Brenton. 

John was a miller by trade. He lived at and carried on the 
old Hair's mill until about the year 1836, when he moved to 
Stark county, Ohio, where he was one of the company which 
laid out the town of Mount Union. He died in 1855 or 56. 
His wife still (1892) survives him. Martha married John 
Crouch, Both are dead. Louisa married Joseph Brenton, of 
the vicinity of Brownsville, Pa. They are both dead, leaving 
a large family of children. Eliza, January 1, 1828, married 
John Potter, who was born December 15, 1808, and died 
August 28, 1878. His wife died in 1869. 

He had arrived at four-score years of age. His remains 
were interred in the cemetery of the church of Pine Creek, 
Allegheny Presbytery, where those of his wife were laid some 
nine years since. He was married to Eliza, daughter of the 
late James Hair, Esq., and sister of Mary H., wife of the late 
Isaac Van Voorhis. Of the family connection present at that 
marriage, Mary, Martha, Eliza, Ibela, Louisa, John, James, 
L^riah, and Samuel, have gone to their rest, with the father 
and mother, sons-in-law Brenton, A^an Voorhis, Crouch, and 
now Potter. Mr. Potter had four sons, all in the ministry. 
John died some years ago. James H., of Florida, Gilbert M., 



The Old and JYeiv Monongahela. 235 

pastor of the Church at Fine Creek, and Henry N., pastor of 
the church of Darlington, Beaver county. Pa. He was born 
and brought up in the congregation of Mingo, under the pas- 
toral care of Eev. Dr. Ralston, D. D., by whom he was 
married, and under whose ministrations he was taken into the 
church in his youth, and was elected a Ruling Elder at the age 
of twenty-two years. 

Ibela, the youngest daughter of Esq. Hair, married James 
Baker. He was the son of Nicholas Baker, a prominent elder 
in the old Maple Creek church. His remains at last account 
were still in the graveyard of that now abandoned church. 
Ibela died January 13, 1843. Her remains are in the Monon- 
gahela cemetery. 

Samuel, son of James Hair, was born on the old Hair farm 
on Pigeon creek, in Washington county. Pa., April 1st, 1808, 
and died May 11th, 1876, in Chicago. He graduated at 
Jefferson College in 1832; he also graduated from the Western 
Theological Seminary. He was licensed to preach by the 
Monroe Presbytery, of Michigan, in 1835, and continued in 
active service for Christ until a short time before his death. 
He ^s a finished scholar, and above all a true champion in 
the cause of Christ. At a meeting of the Chicago Presbytery 
held May 15th, 1876, suitable resolutions were passed in res- 
pect to his memory, and of coiulolence and sympathy for the 
family. A memorial sermon by his pastor, Rev. A. E. 
Kithredge has been printed and distributed among his friends, 
in which his character as a Christian is fully set forth, and the 
result of his labors in diiferent fields are summed up. His 
great work seemed to be that of organizing churches, for which 
he had peculiar qualifications. Besides numerous churches 
which he was instrumental in organizing, he was the real 
founder of the Michigan University, of Ann Arbor, now one 
of the most flourishing institutions of the west. This insti- 
tution sprang from what was known as the Michigan Manual 
Labor School, of which he was the first teacher, having twelve 
young men under his charge. 



230 The Old and I^eto Monongahela. 

Samuel Hair was married April 22nd, 1834, to Miss Eliza E. 
Sample of Canonsbnrg, Pa., who survives him and resides in 
Chicago, 111. Mrs. Hair was born in Philadelphia, but spent 
most of her days, prior to marriage, in Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hair had seven children, one died in early life 
and one daughter, Annie, died in 1887. A Chicago paper 
prints the following beautiful tribute to her memory: 

''Mrs. Annie Hair Elphicke died at her home in Lawndale, 
Chicago, July 20th, 1887. She leaves a loving husband and 
three children, one an infant. Her death was sudden and un- 
expected. The home was a happy, loving home until death 
entered. She united with the church when young, was a con- 
scientious, exemplary Christian, a loving, kind, affectionate wife 
and mother. Six months ago death came and claimed a beau- 
tiful boy. She bore this aflfliction with Christian fortitude. 
Now they know as they were known; now the victory is hers, 
and they are ascribing glory, honor and praise to him who 
bought them and washed them in the blood of the lamb. 

Dearest loved one, we must lay thee 

In the peaceful grave's embrace, 
But thy memory will be cherished ^ 

"Till we see thee face to face. 

Mary J. V., another daughter, died November 21st, 1891. 
The remaining of the children living are all residents of 
Chicago. 

James G., another son of ""Squire Hair, was born on the old 
Hair farm ; was married to Plitebe Kerr, daughter of Aaron 
Kerr, of whom we have written in another place. James G. 
Hair died in Claysville, Pa., August 10, 1885, aged 80 years. 
His wife and one or two children survive him. 

B. W. Hair, the youngest son of James Hair, Esq., read 
medicine with the late Dr. R. F. Biddle in the old office which 
stood where George A. ILoffman's store now is, on the corner 
of Main street and Church alley in Monongahela City. He 
obtained his early education in the common schools at the Dutch 
meeting house and in the old Colhoon school, and his college 



The Old and New Monongahela. 237 

training at Washington, Pa. He married Margaretta L. Hamil- 
ton, of Frankfort, Pa., who died at Hamilton, Ohio, March 4, 
1882. Dr. B. W. Hair has been married a second time. He 
now resides in Hamilton, Ohio, but carries on his extensive 
chemical works in Cincinnati. He is the inventor of Hair's 
Asthma Cure, which holds a large share of public confidence 
and from which he has realized a handsome competence. 

Uriah was another sou. He married Miss Thomas, daughter 
of James Thomas, of near Dunningsville, Washington county, 
Pa. They lived for a time in the stone house at Hair's old mill 
on Pigeon creek ; moved West many years since ; resided in 
Galesburg, 111., for a term of years. Their home now (1891 ) 
is at 120 South Ashland avenue, Chicago. On the 14th of 
March, 1888, they celebrated their golden wedding, Uriah 
being 76 and his wife 75 years old at that time. 

They have had several children, but we have not any notes 
in reference to their progress in life, excepting an account of 
the death of the wife of their eldest son James T. Hair, to 
which we give place. Mrs. Josephine E^telle Hair (nee Butler) 
died February 20, 1887, and was buried from the family resi- 
dence, No. 3337 Michigan avenue, Chicago, on Friday, the 
funeral services being conducted by the Rev. S. J. McPherson, 
of the Second Presbyterian church. The deceased was the 
grand-niece of the late William O. Butler, of Kentucky, can- 
didate for Vice President on the Democratic ticket, with Lewis 
Cass, in 1848, and was related also to Daniel Pierce Butler and 
Senator M. C. Butler, of South Carolina. She was married in 
1875, in the 10th year of her age, to James T. Hair, the well 
known publisher, and a resident of Chicago since 1863. Five 
children were born to them, of whom three survive. Mrs. 
Hair was an accomplished lady, in the prime of womanhood, 
being only twenty-seven years of age, and in the enjoyment, 
a few weeks since, of perfect health. She was possessed of 
many rare qualities of mind and heart, having a remarkably 
quick perception that grasped almost intuitively matters which 
to most minds are made clear onlv bv studv and effort. She 



23'8 The Old and New Monongakela. 

was of a sunny disposition, vivacious and winsome. She had 
traveled extensively with her husband, and had a large circle 
of friends in Cincinnati, New Orleans, St. Louis, Denver, and 
other cities, as well as in Chicago, who lament her loss and 
sympathise with the bereaved husband and his three mother- 
less children. 

[From Monongaliela Republican, February 19, 1890.] 
Death of Uriah Hair. 

Clinton Van Yoorhis hands us the following item, clipped 
from the Chicago DaUy News^ February 1st, 1890, noting the 
death of his uncle : 

Uriah Hair, a well known citizen of Chicago, died yesterday 
at his residence, 120 Ashland avenue. Mr. Hair was nearly 
78 years old. He was born in Washington county, Penn- 
sylvania, and came to Illinois in 1856, locating on a farm in 
McDonough county. Appreciating the advantages of educa- 
tion, he removed to Galesburg in 1886 to give his children the 
benefits of schooling. They speak of the sacrifices he made to 
give them instruction, with the deepest sense of gratitude. 
Mr. Hair came to Chicago in 1876, but was not engaged in 
active business during his residence here. His wife and six of 
his children survive him — James T., William F., Lydia K., 
Josiah T., Samuel F., and John V. Hair. He was a brother 
of the late Kev. Samuel Hair. His only living brother is Dr. 
B. W. Hair, a practicing physician of Cincinnati, the youngest 
of twelve children. 

The Late Rev. G. M. Hair. 

He was born September 4, 1815, in the old log house still 
standing on what was long known as the Hair farm, now owned 
by the heirs of the late John Hill, and situated in Carroll town- 
ship, Washington county. Pa. He attended common schools 
in the neighborhood of his birth, was at first inclined to enter 
mercantile life, but in answer to the prayers of pious parents he 



The Old and yew Mononyahela. 239 

entered upon a course of preparation for the ministry and 
graduated at Washington college, Pa., in 1838. 

In the fall of the same year he married Miss Jane Sample, 
of Steubenville, Ohio, and immediately began to teach at Mar- 
tinsburg, Ohio, where he built up a flourishing academy. While 
there he studied theology with the late Dr. Hervey, and was 
licensed to preach the gospel in the spring of 1840. His first 
charge was the church of Nottingham. While serving it he was 
elected president of Franklin college, Athens, Ohio, but de- 
clined the appointment. He then preached for a time at Wells- 
burg, W. Ya..; started to New Orleans to accept an invitation 
to the First Presbyterian church of that city, but stopped at 
Covington, Ky. ; was for five years pastor of the churches of 
Montgomery and Somerset in Hamilton county, Ohio, where his 
wife died in 1849; in 1850 was married to Miss Eliza Naylor, 
who survives him; in 1853 was called to the church of Frank- 
lin, Ohio, and afterwards labored two years at Carlisle, Ohio; 
and at the outbreak of the war was engaged in building up a 
female seminary near Lexington, Ky., but owing to his Union 
sentiments was compelled to leave at great personal sacrifice. 
After this he preached two years at Cambridge City, Ind. 

Some time prior to 1864 he entered the Christian Commis- 
sion, where in his term of twelve weeks he received into the 
church at the army chapel 600 soldiers. In 1864 he was called 
to the First church of Alexandria, Va., where he labored until 
the close of the war. In 1865 he preached nine months to the 
church at Gerardstown, W. Va., during which time 101 were 
added to the church — this was the church of his father, from 
which he brought his certificate to the old Horseshoe church in 
1807. His next charge was Eaton, Preble county, Ohio, dur- 
ing the first year of which he was invited to and occupied the 
pastorate of the South church in Baltimore, Md. In 1869 he 
accepted a call to the First church of McKeesport, Pa. In 
1872 he took charge of the Kehoboth church. Presbytery of 
Redstone. He resigned June 1, 1874, and removed to Chi- 
cago, 111.; while in that city he organized a church at Lawn- 



240 The Old and New Monongahela. 

dale. The care of his wife's aged parents was his next duty. 
Whilst with them he preached at New Carlisle, in the vicinity 
of Franklin, Ohio. In May, 1877, he took charge of the West- 
minster church. East End, Pittsbm-gh. His health failing, he 
retired from active service after forty years in the ministry. 
Partially recovering his health, he labored in the Kuoxville 
church, near Pittsburgh, for a short time, during which the 
church increased in number three times as many as when he 
began to serve it. 

In September, 1883, he removed to Florida in search of 
health, where he preached almost every Sabbath, and organized 
the church at Ravenswood, as a New Year's gift to the Lord. 
His health appeared to improve until February last; from 
that time he gradually declined. With his wife he started 
for his native state, and May 31 he reached the home of 
his daughter, Mrs. Spurgeon, at West Point, N. Y., where 
on Tuesday, June 3, 1884, he died. His remains were brought 
to Pittsburgh, and his funeral took place June 5 from the resi- 
dence of his son-in-law, H. D. Gamble. He leaves three 
daughters and one son. 

Mr. Hair's great delight was to do the work of an evangel- 
ist. This was the principal cause of his frequent removals. 
Unless he could see some visible fruit in the conversion of 
souls, he was not satisfied. Ho was a man of prayer and of 
earnest devotion to the cause of his Master. 

THE SAMPLE FAMILY. 

John Sample had three brothers and one sister: their names 
were William, Alexander, Samuel and Mary. Mary married 
Admiral Graves, a resident of north of Ireland, and was con- 
nected with the royal family. John Sample was second cousin 
to George the third. Admiral Graves was commander-in-chief 
of the marine forces of England, being appointed by the king 
on account of his connection with the crown through his wife. 
Admiral Graves was sent from England with a large fleet in 



The Old and New Monongahela. 241 

the time of the revolution to relieve Cornwallis at the battle of 
Yorktown, but he arrived one day too late, as Cornwallis had 
been taken by General Washington. Admiral Graves returned 
with his fleet to England, He was owner of old Castle-Dawson 
with its elegant parks and hunting grounds. 

John Sample's wife's maiden name was Margaret Whiteside, 
a resident of Belfast, Ireland. Her brother, James Whiteside, 
was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, the highest gift of the queen. 
He was a nobleman. At the age of 16 Margaret Whiteside 
married a young man named William Thompson, also a resident 
of Belfast. They had three children, John T. , William T. and 
Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson immigrated to America while 
their children were quite young and settled in Philadelphia, 
where Mr. Tho^ipson died not long after his arrival. In a few 
years after his death his widow married John Sample, of the 
same city. He was a merchant. The issue of this marriage 
was seven children, viz: Ann, Margaret, Sarah, Eliza, Alex- 
ander, Jane and Martha. John Sample died in Pittsburgh, 
Pa., in 1829; his wife died in 1850, in Kentucky, whilst on a 
visit to her daughter, Mrs. Martha Wheeler. Jane married 
Rev. G. M. Hair, both of whom are deceased. Eliza married 
Rev. Samuel Hair, whose death is noted elsewhere. His wife, 
at this date (ISOS") is still alive, and resides at No. 4417 Lake 
avenue, Chicago. Martha married John T. Wheeler, now 
deceased; his wife survives him and resides in Chicago. 
Alexander was long a resident of Steuben ville, Ohio, where he 
was regarded as one of the most distinguished dentists in that 
profession. 

Alexander Wilson. 

He was born near Roxbury, Franklin county. Pa., July 7, 
1807; died at Hey worth, Illinois, June 14, 1802. Ho was 
tlie son and eldest chikl of Col. Stephen Wilson, a prominent 
citizen of Franklin county, who had taken an active part in the 
war of 1812, and throe times represented his district in the 
Legislature of this state ; born in the same county in 1789, and 



242 The Old and New Monongahela. 

died there in 1823, in his 4:5th year, leaving his son Alexander, 
16 years old, in charge of the farm, and his mother, with eight 
children, now all deceased, excepting Mrs. Margaret Herron, 
now residing in the l7th ward, Pittsburgh. 'Alexander received 
a common school education, principal part of which was prior 
to the death of his father. 

He was married to Agnes Herron, of Franklin county, June 
11th, 1828, who died in Pittsburgh, November 21st, 1832. 
He remained on the farm until about 1830, when he removed 
to Pittsburgh and engaged in the wholesale grocery business 
on Liberty street, where he did an active and extensive business 
for ten or twelve years. 

He was married to Mary C. McFarland (his second wife), 
daughter of Robert and Ann St. Clair McFarland, at Monon- 
gahela City, February 3d, 1835, who died at her home in 
Allegheny City, February 1st, 1881, in her 78th year, and 
whose remains are interred, with that of her husband's in the 
cemetery at Monongahela City. 

Alexander Wilson removed to Monongahela City in the 
spring of 1845, where he engaged in merchandising, and 
gradually extended his business until he became the largest 
dealer in the county in wool, grain, flour and produce generally. 
The farmers will still recollect that he was always ready to 
give them the highest prices, and sometimes even when the 
state of the trade did hardly justify it. 

He also opened and operated the then extensive coal mines 
at the mouth of Mingo creek, and had, in connection with a 
boat yard, some 100 to 150 men in his employ. He was among 
the first that undertook to tow coal to Cincinnati by steam, 
having built the side-wheel steamer, Alexander Wilson, for 
that express purpose. She was run in that trade for some time, 
when her machinery was taken out and placed on the steamer 
Mingo, a stern-wheel boat. 

His residence and business house was the one which Mark 
Borland has occupied for many years. This house was com- 
menced to be built by the late Matthew Porter (grandfather of 



The Old and New Monongahela. , 24-3 

the Morrison Brothers) in 1833, but was in the spring of 1834 
purchased by Robert McFarland, father-in-law of the deceased, 
and by him finished as a storeroom and dwelling, and in which 
he shortly died. 

In the fall of 1856 he located at Hey worth, Illinois, and in 
December, 1857, removed his family to that place. There he 
built and operated with otliers one of the largest flouring mills 
in the state, which was afterwards destroyed by fire. He then 
engaged in the grain business in which he continued to the 
time of his death. Under the pious instructions of a Christian 
mother, he united with Rocky Spring Presbyterian church as 
early as his 20th year. On removing to Pittsburgh he united 
with the first Presbyterian church during the ministrations of 
Dr. Francis Herron., and at once engaged in active Sabbath 
school work. He afterwards became connected with the 
Minersville Presbyterian church, now known as the seventh 
Presbyterian church of Pittsburgh, and in it became a ruling 
elder about the year 1838, in which capacity he served almost 
continually during the remainder of his life, wherever he 
resided, including the church in Monongahela City and ending 
with the church at Heyworth, Illinois. He was especially 
interested in the Sabbath school cause, to which work he gave 
more than 30 years of his life, most of which time in the posi- 
tion of superintendent, and frequently had several Sabbath 
schools in active operation at the same time under his control. 

He had two children by his first wife, both now living — 
Mary E. AVilson is the wife of Dr. J. M. Todd, of Bridgeport, 
Ohio, and William H. Wilson, of Pittsburgh, who has been 
cashier of the West End Savings bank since its organization, 
over twelve years ago. He had six children by his second 
wife —Eliza C, Robert M., Stephen. Ann St. Clair, M. Vir- 
ginia and Susan E. Robert, Eliza and Susan are deceased, the 
rest still living. Robert M. went out with the 94th Illinois 
Regiment Volunteers in the late war. He participated in all 
the engagements in which his regiment was called to take part. 
He was promoted to lieutenant in Company B, and after nearly 



214 The Old and New Monongahela. 

three years of active service, ending with the capture of Mobile 
and its defenses, was on board the steamer St. Charles with a 
portion of his regiment on their return to Spanish Fort from 
Ship Ishmd, whither they had guarded an installment of pris- 
oners. The night was dark, and being called suddenly on 
deck, he walked overboard and was drowned; all efforts to re- 
cover his body being unavailing. Stephen is married and lives 
in Minneapolis, Minn. ; Ann St. Clair is the widow of Isaac N. 
Coursin, and is living in McKeesport, Pa., where she has two 
married daughters: M. Virginia resides with her brother, W. 
H. Wilson in Pittsburgh; Dorcas E. Wilson, widow of Robert, 
lives at Leechburg, Pa., and has a son and daughter now 
grown. 

Alexander Wilson, the older readers will call to mind, was a 
man of robust constitution, active and energetic, with reniark- 
ble business qualifications, prompt to decide and quick to act, he 
pressed forward to the consummation of all he undertook. He 
was pleasing and affable in his every day walk and conversa- 
tion, and ever ready to do a kind act for a neighbor. He was 
full of enterprise and always in the advance to constitute 
and work for the interests of the community in which he re- 
sided. He was generous and charitable, with a kind word for 
all; but, more than all, he was an earnest, active and faithful 
Christian. 

After a busy and useful life, his strong constitution finally 
gave way, and he died comparatively a young man. As his 
soul passed within the pearly gates he uttered as his last words 
on earth, "Happy, happy, happy ! '' 

He was interred at Hey worth, 111., but after the death of his 
second M^fe, his remains were removed and laid by her side in 
the cemetery at Monongahela City, where a beautiful monu- 
ment, erected by kind hands, perpetuate their memory. In 
this beautiful city of the dead, overlooking her native home 
and the scenes of his early life, 

Rest here, blebt sainls, till from His throne 
The morning break and pierce the shade. 



The Old and Neu) Monongahela. 245 

THE GORDON FAMILY. 

Thomas Gordon and his wife came from Franklin county, 
Pa., to Williamsport in the year 1810. The former died Sep- 
tember 29, 1823, aged 74 years, and the latter March 27, 
1821. Their remains were interred in the old graveyard on 
the hill, in their adopted town. These were the parents of the 
M^ell known James Gordon, who figured so largely and so long 
in the affairs of Monongahela City. On his arrival in 1810, 
there was not a house below the pike, or now called Fourth 
street. For years he was the only Presbyterian in the town. 
From the first he took an active part in church matters, and 
was the first collector of stipends for the Presbyterian congre- 
gation after its removal from Horse Shoe Bottom. He aided 
both by his means and labor in the building of the church on 
the hill, in which he held a pew from the first to the last day 
it was occupied by the congregation. He organized the first 
Sabbath Scool in the town, in the face of much opposition on 
the ])art of the citizens, who claimed that children should have 
at least one day to themselves. He was elected and ordained 
an elder in the church October 15, 1835, and remained an 
elder in the same church until his death, covering a period of 
over forty years. Prior to the adoption of the constitution of 
1838, Justices of the Peace held a life-time term in the oflice, 
and James Gordon being appointed Justice of the Peace by 
Governor Snyder, held the office until deposed by the operation 
of the new constitution of 1838, by the provisions of which 
this officer was elected by the people for a term of five years. 
James (lordon was elected to this office in 1850, serving five 
years, nudving in all a period of thirty-five years daring which 
he acted as Justice. He was elected Associate Judge, and 
worn into office March 8, 1845, and served five years. He 
was a])pointed by Governor Porter Register of Washington 
county, and served in that ofticc from March 3, 1839, to Octo- 
b(>r 14, 1839, when George Morrison, Register-elect, took his 
l)hico. On the resignation of Walter (^raig in 1S11>, as Gounty 

IS 



:340 The Old and New Monongahela. 

Commissiouer, James Gordon was appointed to serve until the 
next October. He was a member of the Electoral College 
which placed Andrew Jackson in the Presidential chair for one 
of his two terms. He was always a Democrat ; in the darkest 
hours of that party he stood firm to its principles, believing to 
the day of his death that they formed the basis on which alone 
the country could prosper. He was married in 1810 by the 
Rev, Mathew Brown, to Miss Mary Ann Officer, of Washing- 
ton, Pa. , by whom he had nine children. He first lived in a log 
house that stood on the site where now stands the McGregor row, 
on Main street, in Monongahela City. He lived and carried on 
the tanyard now owned by the heirs of Pichard Stockdale, on 
Main street, and had his otiice in a little frame building adjoining 
the house. He was also in the mercantile business for a time. 
In later days he lived in the brick house on P'ourth and Main 
streets, opposite what is now called (1889) the Hotel Wilgus. 
He had his office in the frame building now occupied by Alder- 
man Williams. James Gordon was a trustee in Jefferson 
College from 1825 to 1863. He acted as deputy under Sheriff 
Officer and during his term conveyed on horseback thirty-three 
convicts to Philadelphia at an expense of nearly §400 for each 
trip. Physically Mr. Gordon was a remarkable man, tall and 
erect, and after he was eighty years old he would not hesitate 
to walk eight or ten miles. He was a man of strong feelings, 
and when his prejudices were aroused he was very apt to show 
his Scotch blood. He was a man of sterling integrity, and 
died at the age of eighty-five years full of faith and briglit 
prospects of a glorious immortality. Of his nine children, all 
are dead excepting Martha and Elizabeth. Thomas P., his 
oldest son, graduated at Jefferson college in 183o, studied for 
the ministry, had the degree of D. D. conferred upon him by 
his alma mater in 185'.», and died at Terre Haute, Ind., in 
1865. James M. H., the remaining son, studied medicine with 
the late Dr. S. M. King, and practiced most of his professional 
life in Fayette City, Pa., where he died August 24, 1883. We 
quote from the Dally RepMiean of August 29, 1883, the arti- 
cle on Dr. Gordon's death : 



The Old and New Monongahela. 247 

Dr. James Martin Hunter Gordon died at his late residence 
in Fayette City, Pa., Friday, August 24th, 1883; his remains 
were interred in Mt. Auburn cemetery. His funeral was 
largely attended by relatives and friends. Drs. M. P. Morri- 
son and George A. Linn, of Monongahela City, Dr. O. P. 
McKay, of Perryopolis, Dr. J. S. Yan Voorhis, of Bellever- 
non, Dr. Mitchell, of Allenport, and Dr. Porter, of Fayette 
City, acted as pall bearers. The remains were dressed in a 
black suit and encased in a beautiful silver mounted octagon 
casket furnished by undertaker Curtis Eeppert, of Bellevernon. 

The deceased was born April 25th, 1825, in the house now 
owned by heirs of Richard Stockdale, on Main street, Monon- 
gahela City, then known as Williamsport. His father was the 
late Hon. James Gordon. The deceased was one of nine child- 
ren, of whom only Martha and Lizzie are living, and were at 
the funeral. " "' '^ 

Dr. Gordon was educated in boyhood in the public schools 
of his native town; received his collegiate course at Jefferson 
and Washington Colleges, leaving the latter college in 1843. 
"■ * "^ As far as the writer can ascertain, he com- 

menced the practice of his profession in Temperanceville, 
Allegheny county, and subsequently in Perryopolis, California, 
Brownsville, and finally settled in Fayette City, where for over 
30 years he had been a prominent and successful practitioner. 
On 16th of May, 1850, he married Miss Margaret K. Church, 
who, with four children, survive him. His son, John W., a 
graduate of Joiierson Medical College, was his associate in 
business and will continue to occupy his father's office. A few 
months after his marriage, with his brother-in-law, Solomon 
Alter, Esq., Shesh Bentley, T. F. Watkins, and other Wash- 
ington county adventurers, he crossed the plains to California. 
The rough living and hard work incident to the new El Dorado 
did not suit either his taste or health. -He returned to Fayette 
City and found a host of friends to greet him, and in a very 
short time laid gathered up a lucrative practice. At the out- 
break of the ret)ellioii he went into the armv with the tirst 



'24:8 TAe Old a ml Nev Monongnhela. 

regiment of West Virginia volunteers. Being transferred t# 
Washington, D. C, he was appointed to hospital service on 
Fourteenth street. After leaving the united service he gave 
his whole attention to the practice of medicine. Naturally of 
a vigorous and robust constitution, he was able to undergo a 
vast amount of exposure. Whilst in health he never refused 
to respond to the wants of the sick, whethei- rich or poor. His 
uncollected accounts attest the amount of service rendered the 
afflicted without compensation. The writer knew the deceased 
from early boyhood and knew him well. As medical men we 
met each other often in consultation and otherwise — he was a 
safe counsellor and a wise practitioner. In his profession. Dr. 
Gordon was well read; in practice, was more than ordinarily 
successful. His manners were pleasing, and to the sick kind 
and sympathizing. In general intelligence he was well 
posted. In combatting disease he had an unbounded store of 
therapeutical knowledge, from which he drew in every' emer- 
gency. He was a fine Bible scholar, so much so that a few 
years since he was able, in public debate, to defend its truths 
successfully against one of the champion infidels. For his suc- 
cess on that occasion his fellow citizens presented him Math a 
beautiful copy of the Bible, from which Rev. HoUister read 
during the funeral services, and which, no doubt, will long be 
cherished as a sacred memento of the deceased. 

In his professional career he was associated more or less 
with his friends, Drs. A. M and W. H. King, Biddle, Adams, 
Connelly, Hill, Lank and Castner, who either studied or prac- 
ticed medicine in this city, all of whom have preceded him to 
the spirit land. He has run his race; his voyage of life is 
ended; his usefulness has ceased; he has gone, and may we 
not hope that in the unconscious hours, before dissolution, a 
lucid moment may have flashed upon his soul in which he was 
enabled to look upward and whisper, " My father, "" and to 
hear the blessed response from within, "-My son." 

Mary, daughter of James Gordon, married Kev. W. P. 
Harshe, and died many years ago. Elizabeth nuirried V. H. 



The Old and Nein MonoiKjahela. 2411 

Khineliard, of Lebanon, Fa., who for a short time printed the 
Sentinel in the old room which stood where is now the Peoples 
Bank, in Monongahela City. He is now located at Lebanon, Pa. , 
where he has grown into a large and lucrative law practice. 
Martha married Solomon Alter, who established the Monon- 
gahela Republieati. He died many years ago, and she still 
survives him, making her home generally in Washington, D. 
C. Sarah never married, and has been dead for many years. 
Margaret, the oldest daughter, married Rev. James Sloan. He 
was a brother of the Hon. J. C. Sloan, of Hopewell township, 
Washington county. Pa., who was a member of the Legisla- 
ture during the session of 1857. The Daily Monongahela 
Repid)lican publishes the following notice of her death : 

About 10 minutes before 10 o'clock, Monday morning, 
(^December 12th, 1881,) Dr. James G. Sloan entered his office 
and found his mother dusting the table. She stopped as he 
came in and said she felt a pain in her breast. The doctor 
asked her if it were in the neighborhood of her heart. She 
said ' ' yes ' ' and at once appeared to grow faint. He assisted 
her to lie down upon the lounge, and seeing evidences from the 
absence of pulse at the wrist that the attack was serious, 
went at once for Dr. Linn, who arrived almost immediately. 
The attack was at her heart, and failing to rally, Mrs. Sloan 
died at 10.30 a. m., some 15 or 20 minutes after her first men- 
tion of the sharp pain to her son. Mrs. Margaret Sloan was 
the widow of the late Rev. Dr. Sloan, a Presbyterian clergy- 
man, for long years pastor of the Pigeon creek church, who 
died in March, 1871. She was in her 67th year, and was an 
eminently pious mother in Israel. She has gone to her rest 
covered with the mantle of the sweetest and purest Christian 
faith. Mrs. Sloan was conscious up to lier death; gave 
messages of love to her family who stood beside her. To 
Maggie, her favorite, she said, "Live near to Jesus, Maggie;'' 
and when the end was near, she folded her hands and said, 
"Lord Jesus prepare me for the end." She has gone home — 
she was ready and waiting — the tears that will come are forced 



250 The Old and New Monongahela. 

back by the thought that God hath taken her; and he doeth 
all things well. If ever a good woman lived and died, that 
woman was Aunt Margaret Sloan — the term of endearment by 
which she was called by so many who knew her and loved her 
with the highest esteem, and the greatest respect. 

Jesse Martin. 

The remains of Jesse Martin lay in the old graveyard. He 
died May 27, 1848. He was elected an elder in the old 
church on the hill in 1816, just after the first communion was 
held, at which elder Hair, assisted by elder Benjamin Williams, 
of Mingo, officiated. He was one of the committee appointed 
to select a site for a new church, which resulted in the choice 
of the lot on which the church at the foot of the hill was 
erected, and which is now used as a tenement house, on Coal 
street and Church alley, Monongahela City. He served as an 
elder to the day of his death. Jesse Martin married Miss 
Abba Gordon, sister of Hon. James Gordon, by whom he had 
seven children. His son Thomas lived the greater part of his 
life in St. Louis, Mo., where he died. James C. always re- 
sided in Monongahela City, his native town, where he 
died some ten years ago. His wife was Hannah Smith, a 
niece of Rev. John Kerr. James C. was elected State Libra- 
rian in 1849, by the joint committee of the Senate and Llouse 
of Representatives at Harrisburg. Mary married Samuel 
Scott and was the mother of James C. Scott, the druggist, now 
deceased. Margaret died about the year 1855. Cynthia \ 
married James Smith ; both have passed away. Belle married 
a Mr. McBride, near Washington, Pa., now deceased. She 
alone survives of all the children of Jesse Martin. Eliza mar- 
ried Jesse Teeple, both of whom are now dead. They lived 
all their married life on part of the old Teeple homestead, in 
Carroll township. Jesse Martin was Postmaster at Parkison's 
Ferry, now Monongahela City, for many years, being the suc- 
cessor of George Wythe, and was succeeded by W. S. Mel- 
linger in 1811. Jesse Martin erected and lived in the old 
brick house on Main, below Second street, which has given 



The Old and New Monongahela. 251 

way to the beautiful edifice built by his grandson, the late 
James C. Scott. He always carried on the boot and shoe 
business, in connection with the postoffice ; the office itself at 
that time was not worth the labor it cost. The old market 
house stood on Main street, in front of Martin's residence, 
where, much to his annoyance, it attracted the boys, especially 
in the early spring of the year, when playing "knucks'' was 
on the surface. 

Beneath the shelter of this aniquated structure such youths 
as Wash Spence, Samuel King, John King, Robert McGrew, 
Sam Guthrie, Dick Roberts, Thomas Martin, John Chess, 
William and Moses Devore and a host of other bloods were 
wont to spend many an hour in playing marbles. Through the 
influence of Jesse Martin, more than any one else, no doubt, 
this unsightly and useless market house was removed to a site 
on Second above Main street, in front of what is now the Peo- 
ple's bank, where it could only annoy Constable Gabriel Silver- 
thorn on the one side and the semi-occasional occupants of the 
old red house on the other. Here it remained until the next 
generation with wisdom and forethought for the good of hu- 
manity, so far mutilated the pillars as to render it so dangerous 
that the authorities were compelled to have it taken away, and 
to this day no other market house has ever existed in the town. 
Even whilst the old one stood, such butchers as Daniel Cort, 
Sammy Roberts, John Clemens, John McFeely et al, had 
scruples against. offering their beef for sale within its walls. 

Hon. Jesse Martin, with Wallace McWilliams and James 
McFarrcn as colleagues, represented Washington county in the 
Legislature of 1842. He died in St. Louis at the date above 
stated; his remains were brought home by steamboat, and in- 
terred in the old graveyard on the hill where Elders Llair, 
McFarland, Gordon and McGrew were also buried. Absence 
from home or sickness alone prevented his attendance at church 
and at the prayer meetings, where his plain petitions were 
regarded as the outpouring of a heart filled with love and 
gratitude to God. His peculiar voice, when leading in singing, 
will no doubt be called to mind by many of the older citizens. 



252 The Old and Nein Mononijahda. 

THE McFAKLAND FAMILY. 

Eobert McFarland and Anna, his wife, were well-known 
personages in tlie Pigeon creek valley. He lived from his 
youth on the farm originally called Bath Mills, but now well 
known as the Yan Yoorhis homestead, lately the residence of 
Isaac Yan Yoorhis, deceased, and now owned by his son. Dr. 
J. S. Yan Yoorhis. Robert McFarland was a man of fine feel- 
ing, and of more than ordinary modest deportment. His attire 
was always neat and of black cloth. He and his wife were 
not often absent from church, and in consideration of his ex- 
cellent Christian character he was at one time elected an elder 
in the Presbyterian church, but he never felt satisfied to take 
the ordination vows, prefering to do his part as a private mem- 
ber. His house was a resort for the young and old, and his i 
hospitality knew no bounds. He manufactured salt in the .| 
works now gone which stood just below the spring house. The ' 
well was of the artesian nature, and to this day water con- 
stantly flows from it. With one exception, these were the only 
salt works in the county. He sold the farm to Isaac Yan 
Yoorhis, who took possession April 1, 1834, Although his 
goods had all gone, Mr. McFarland never left the house until a 
Mr. Yan Yoorhis arrived, to whom he gave the keys in per- ■ 
son. McFarland purchased the house, then unfinished, now 
occupied by M. Borland and others as store rooms, on Main 1 
street, Monongahela City, from Matliew Porter, grandfather of 
Dr. M. P., Joseph and A. P. Morrison, Esqs. Having com- 
pleted his dwelling and store room, he purchased a fine stock 
of new goods in the Eastern cities, where he traveled in the 
old stage coach and from the fatigue and exposure of which 
journey he never recovered. 

He died in 1835, and his remains were interred in the old 
graveyard on the hill, where also those of his wife were after- 
wards laid to rest. His wife was also a McFarland — Ann St. 
Clair McFarland. She had several brothers, of whom were 
Thomas and John. The former lived for manv vears in the 



Tlie Old and New MonoiKidhela. 253 

old mansion still standing on the bank of the Monongahcla, 
near lock No. 3. He moved to the west and died many years 
since. This house was in early days well known to the 
pioneers, being a kind of headquarters for the leading spirits 
of the day. In this house Major McFarland died, after being 
wounded at the attack on General Neville's house during; the 
whiskey insurrection of 1T94. His remains were interred in 
Mingo graveyard, and the circumstances attending his death 
are almost forgotten, save by those who cherish the record of 
the past. 

John, or Uncle Jack, as he was familiarly called, was a man 
of peculiar traits of character; in demeanor a perfect gentleman, 
a fine talker, a good philanthrophist, a bachelor of consider- 
able wealth, popular among all classes of the people. He was 
a merchant by inclination as well as in fact. He passed many 
of his latter days in what was then called the far west, in trad- 
ing among the Indian tribes. In more than one instance he 
had to abandon his post, barely escaping with his life. At one 
time he made good his flight by skating on the ice over 20 
miles. At another time he was overtaken in his flight by the 
Indians, and was scalped by them, as they supposed; but to 
his delight the Indians discovered to their chagrin that it was a 
false scalp in the form of a wig which Uncle Jack had been 
accustomed to wear. 

He enjoyed that joke (on the Indians) as well as many others 
of which he was very fond. His many Indian stories seemed 
to the masses as much exaggerated, but subsequent develop- 
ment of the true Indian character, since his day, give warrant 
to their truth. At his death the late Isaac Yan Yoorhis and 
Elijah Teeple were appointed administrators of his estate, 
which consisted chiefly in a large amount which he claimed 
from the government as losses incurred by the depredations of 
the Indians. After a long delay the claim was collected and 
distributed among the heirs. He and a man named Lyons had 
a coal works on the river just abo^-e the mouth of Wolf Harbor 
iiin, not far below Lock No. 4. They were among the first to 



254 The Old and New Monongahela. 

lo.ad coal in flat-boats by means of an incline from the pit to 
the river. They soon found that the enterprise would not pay 
and so abandoned the work. 

Robert McFarland left two daughters, Eliza and Mary. 
Eliza married Rev. S, M. Sparks, one of the early pioneers in 
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She died long ago and 
was buried in the old graveyard where are the remains of her 
father and mother. She died in Pittsburgh, and her body was 
transported over land, as steamboating was an uncertain matter 
in those days. She left one daughter, "wife of the late Dr. Wm. 
H. King. Mary, the remaining daughter of McFarland, mar- 
ried Alex. Wilson, of whom we have written in another place. 
Robert McFarland was no politician, but never failed to vote, 
even when he had to go almost half way to Brownsville to do so. 
He and his friend Isaac Van Voorhis cast the only votes in old 
Fallowfield township for Adams in 1824, when he was elected 
President over Jackson. The result in the township created 
no little merriment at the expense of the two lone voters, but 
the general outcome changed the tune of the other good old 
boys, who had shouted so loudly for the " Hero of New 
Orleans." 

THE McGREW FAMILY. 

The names of J. and R. McGrew were long familiar to the 
older citizens of Williamsport, now Monongahela City. They 
were citizens of the town prior to 1816, but from whence they 
came, and in what year, we have failed to discover. The firm 
of J. & R. McGrew for long years carried on the hatter business 
on the corner now occupied by the Odd Fellows' building. 
This firm made the wool and fur hats for the whole surrounding 
country, and to the wear and lasting of their wool hats there 
seemed to be no end, and such a quality of the article was not 
always valued by the chaps who never got a new hat until the 
old one was worn out. It was the wear, not the style, the 
purchaser looked at. It was to this firm the country boys took 
their rabbit skins to exchange them for hats, and were rejoiced 



The Old and Neiv Mn/KnujaJiela. 255 

wlien each would bring the value of eight cents. The rabbits 
were skinned from heel to head, and the skin inverted and 
drawn carefully over a forked stick so as to have it dried in a 
perfect state. Hats both fur and wool were often taken to this 
firm to be ironed over and their shape remodeled after each 
one's own fancy or some stray idea of style. 

James was the older of the two brothers. Though intimately 
associated all their lives, it is said they never had any difficul- 
ties, one with the other. James McGrew had, by his first 
wife, one daughter, Matilda, who married Rev. Samuel Hudson, 
a distinguished minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church. His second wife was the widow of Thomas Gordon, 
a brother of the late Hon. James Gordon, who had two 
daughters by her first husband: Margaret, now deceased, wife 
of Captain Samuel Reynolds; and Maria, widow of Robert, the 
junior member of the firm of J. & R. McGrew; she also is 
deceased, having died in Monongahela City, September 1st, 
1884. By his second wife, James McGrew had one daughter, 
who married John Gilfillan, of West Alexander, Pa., but re- 
sided most of their lives in Parkersburg, W. Va., where 
Alvira, his wife, died about 1886 or 87. Robert, son of 
James McGrew, was a well known merchant, and died many 
years ago in the prime of manhood. 

James McGrew was elected and installed as an elder in the 
old church on the hill in April, 1816, and served during his 
lifetime. He was a member of the building committee of the 
old church at the foot of the hill. He w^as appointed a justice 
of the peace by Governor Wolfe, but never took out his com- 
mission, yet he was always called Esquire McGrew. 

THE BEAZELL FAMILY. 

Benjamin F. Beazell 

Died August 27, 1886. He was born in Rostraver township, 
Westmoreland county, Pa., January 2, 1796. His grandfather 
and grandmother came from Bazil-on-the-Rhine, in Germany, 



256 The Old and New Moiiongahehi. 

and located in Berkeley county, Va. , in 1760. Mathew and 
Catherine made acquaintance on board the ship during the voy- 
age to this country, and were married at Georgetown, now in 
the District of Columbia, before settling in the town now 
known as Martinsburg, W. Va. While residing here, William 
and Eliza (twins), Mathew, Christian, John and Luke were 
born to them. In 1774 Mathew Beazell and family left Vir- 
ginia and settled first in a cabin on land now owned by James 
Moore, known at this day as Moore's woolen factory, and now 
owned by a man named Kelly, who bought it from the heirs of 
Samuel W. Power. The farm is on the West Newton road be- 
tween Bellevernon and that town in Rostraver township, West- 
moreland county, Pa. The old factory has long since been 
converted into other uses. In 1775 Beazell moved to a cabin 
on the land recently sold to Andrew Graham by Wm. Jones, 
in the same township. Here he purchased what was then 
known as a "location site," containing 290 acres. On this 
farm the remainder of his children were born, viz. : Catherine, 
Barbara and Joseph, the latter died when a mere lad. Here 
Mathew died, but in what year we have overlooked. His 
tombstone will tell; it was placed over his grave, which was 
near the West Newton road on what was then known as the 
Pentecost farm, now owned by either John Bankin or Joseph 
Power. For many years this stone was the wonder of the 
stranger. Some years since it was removed by kind friends to 
the graveyard at FelFs church. His wife died in 1815, at the 
house of Robert Stevens, on Redstone creek in Fayette county. 
The wife of Stevens was her daughter. Mathew's son Mathew 
died on the farm now owned by David Finley, near the town 
of Webster. His remains were buried at Fell's church. His 
wife was a Miss Neal, whose second husband was William 
Sampson, the father of the venerable James Sampson, of Horse- 
shoe, in Carrt)ll township, Washington county. 

The late Mrs. Belar, of Monongahela City, was a daughter 
of Mathew Beazell. John Beazell married Mary Sutherland, 
moved to the neighborhood of Warren, Ohio, where he died, 



The Old and Ncir Monoiujaktla. iJaV 

and all of his family <3xcept one. Luke married Elizabeth 
English, lived in different parts of the ' ' Forks of Yough, 
and died on the farm now owned by a man named McGogney, 
adjoining the well known Hassler farm in Rostraver township. 
His remains were interred at FelFs Church. He had sons 
Mathew, Joseph, John, James, Lemuel and William, all of 
whom are dead except William. His daughters were Margaret, 
married to Van Reeves, and died not many years ago at Coal 
Centre, Catherine, widow of James Ailes, Mary, widow of A. 
R. Smith, and Eliza, who never married. Mrs. Ailes resides 
in California, Fa. Mrs. Smith and Eliza are residents of West 
Newton, Fa. Joseph married a Miss Spliarr, sister of John 
Spharr, of Allen township, Washington county, Pa. Joseph 
died a few years since in the old McCrory house, on Maple 
creek, in the same county, where his widow still has her home. 
James married a Miss Springer, whose grandfather emigrated 
from Stockholm, in Sweden, and settled on the farm called 
"• Springersburgh, "" near Bellevernon, in very early days. 
James and his wife both died at their home on part of the 
original Springer homestead. Their remains are in the Belle- 
vernon cemetery. 

Mathew died not long since in Rostraver. Lemuel died in 
Webster not long ago. John was married to Jane Fatterson, 
at the residence of the late George Houshold, in Rostraver, 
iiy the Rev. Hiram Miller, November 25, 1853, and died in 
Bellevernon, Pa., January 13, 1870. His wife still lives. 
William alone remains, and has long lived in Fallovvtield, 
Washington county, near John Witherow's blacksmith shop, 
lie still looks hale and hearty. Elizabeth, one of the daugh- 
icis of Mathew Beazell the older, married John Sturgess, re- 
moved to Kentucky and then to Missouri. Christina married 
I John Fell. She died in the house occupied lately by John 
'^ Coughenour, and owned by the heirs of Wm. Flannegan, in 
■ Rostraver. William, the remaining son of Mathew Beazell 
, the older, was the father of Benjamin F. Beazell, the subject 
of this sketch. William married Reljecca Fell in a ])art of the 



258 The Old and NeiD Monongahela. 

bouse in which Benjamin F. lived so long and in which he 
died. William also died in the Coughenour house. He had 
twelve children, four of whom were boys, viz : Mathew, Wil- 
liam, John F. and Benjamin F., of whom we are writing. 
Mathew died manj years ago. He was the father of H. B. 
Beazell. John F. lived for a while in Webster, but the latter 
part of his days was passed in Uniontown, Fa., where he was 
for years editor of the Pennsylvania Democrat^ published in 
that place. 

Benjamin F. was married to Sarah Sampson November iTth, 
1820, by the Rev. John White. She was a daughter of 
William and Dorcas Sampson — Dorcas was a Neal, sister of 
James Sampson's mother. Her father settled on L<^ng run and 
was killed by the Indians. At the date of this marriage Samp- 
son lived at the old ' ' Black Horse Tavern, ' ' now owned by 
Lew Weaver, and situate in Rostraver. This and the Red 
Lion Hotel in Redstone, were the two celebrated stopping 
places between Pittsburgh and LTniontown in old times. The 
issue of this marriage was a large family of boys and girls, 
among whom was Dorcas, married to John Darr, of Rostraver; 
William married Elizabeth Biggs, of Sewickley township, 
Westmoreland county; Thomas died, aged 14 years; James 
married Jessie Woodruff; Mary I. and Rebecca remained at 
home; Benjamin F. married Mary D. Welling, of Ohio, and 
is now a prominent minister in the Methodist Episcopal church 
of the Pittsburgh conferejice; Sarah Emma is the wife of Dr. 
J. A. Mink, of Topeka, Kansas; Samuel is a farmer and John 
a lawyer, of Chillicothe, Mo.; James and William live in 
Rostraver. 

Benjamin F. joined the Methodist church in 1S28, in the old 
church which stood on the site of the present stone building 
known as Fell's church, not far from the town of Webster. 
Rev. John Watterman was the minister at the time of his join- 
ing. Flis wife joined the same church in a short time after 
Benjamin did. Benjamin F.'s grandfather Fell donated a part 
and his father the remainder of the lot which now belongs to 



The Old and Neto Monongahela. 259 

the church. The Beazells and Fells hewed the logs for the old 
church; thej whip-sawed the material for the stairs and pulpit. 
The floor was made of split logs and so were the seats; the 
building presented an unfinished appearance. This was so 
plain to the stranger that at the first time Lorenzo Dow 
preached in it he used the following expression in his prayer: 
' ' Oh, Lord ! here is a house from all appearances has been 
building for 40 years, and not yet finished; " and he prayed the 
Lord to put it in the hearts of the people to finish it and revive 
his work. Richard Ferguson did the clerking for him on this 
occasion, singing St. Martin's fast as he could. This was in 
1818. B. Bascom, the celebrated divine, preached in this old 
church on more than one occasion. The present stone church 
was built in 1834. The board of trustees under whose super- 
vision it was built consisted of Hugh C. Ford, Samuel Jones, 
Manassah Reeves, Benjamin Thomas, Luke Beazell, Nathaniel 
Lender, Benjamin Stewart, Randall Johnson and Benjamin F. 
Beazell, all of whom have passed away. The carpenter work 
was done by Townsend for i?400; the plastering by Michael 
Dravo. 

The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Charles Elliot. 
Among the many distinguished divines who preached in the old 
and new churches we may mention Bishops McKendry and 
Morris and Revs. Charles Cook, J. G. Sansom, Jamison, Smith, 
the Millers, and Rev. B. F. Beazell, son of Benjamin F. Beazell. 
William, father of Benjamin F. Beazell, laid out the town of 
Webster in 1835, the late Joseph Yan Kirk doing the survey- 
ing. Benjamin F. Beazell built the first house in the town of 
Webster, being known as the Rev. J. G. Sansom mansion, on 
the lot lately occupied by the residence of Dr. J. T. Krepps. 
During the first five years of his married life Benjamin lived on 
the Fell farm. In 1S25 he rented what was known attliat time 
as the "Daly ■" fann, on which he lived two years. He then 
moved to the Bhick Horse Tavern and kept store for Samuel 
Walker for a time; tlien bought out Walker and ran the store 
liimsolf until in |s;',,-^>. In tjie spring of 1836 he moved to liis 



260 The Old and New Monongahela. 

house in Webster, where he carried on merchandising and boat- 
building until 1841, excepting two years that he moved back 
to the Black Horse Tavern. In 1844 he purchased the old Fell 
homestead, in which he lived to the day of his death. In 1835 
he built for Captain Shrodes the steamboat Moravian. He 
built keelboats and ilatboats for the lower trade, as it was then 
called. For himself he built a trade boat — loaded it with a 
variety of goods, as flour, cherry bounce and boiled cider. For 
the latter he paid $3 per barrel and sold it for |5, making a 
nice profit. He sold his whole cargo on the way and at Cin- 
cinnati, and walked home, carrying the proceeds. 

Father Beazell, by his example and precepts, was a power 
for good in whatever community he resided. He was a walk- 
ing encyclopaedia of religious experience. His interest in the 
church was only exceeded by his zeal in the cause of Christ. 
" Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord."" 

James K. Marshall. 

On a plain marble slab standing on the brow of the hill in 
the old graveyard can be seen the name of James K. Marshall, 
who died March 24th, 185S, aged 81 years. He "lived most of 
his life on the farm now owned by his son-in-law, William 
Blyth's heirs on Pigeon creek, in Carroll township. His florid 
complection, white hair, robust form and pleasant manners will 
be called to mind by many of the present day. His farm in 
early day was known as the Joseph Hall farm, and was secured 
by Virginia entry rJjout the time the Deckers took possession 
of their large tracts. The old house still standing was erected 
by Joseph Hall — it being a hewed log house with cla})board 
gable ends shows that it was the successor of the primitive 
house built of round logs with clapboard roof. His wife was 
one of the Hall family, tie had several children. James 
settled in Beaver county, but in after life we learn he moved 
to the west. He was a inan of fine natural ability, and had 
only a limited education, yet in debate he was able to hold his 
own with the late talented R. F. Cooper, Esq., Dr. James 



The Old and Netr Moiiinujalida . 261 

Scott and Dr. Frank Shugart, with whom he had many an 
intellectual contest in school house debating societies. "Whilst 
the others exhibited a flow of Rhetoric, he was content to 
present his views in a plain, logical, common sense manner. 
He died March 19th, 1892, at Lyndon, Kansas. The other 
son was a soldier in the late war of the rebellion, and is still a 
fixture on Pigeon creek. Their daughter, Susannah, in 1835, 
married a man named John H. Marshall, who died at Hazel 
Dell, Lawrence county, Pa., August 10th, 1887, in the 77th 
year of his age. He was born in November, 1810, on what is 
known as the David Quail farm, near Washington, Pa. His 
wife died in April, 1886. They left eight children. The 
other daughter, Nancy, married Enoch Hays, and died at her 
home near Steubenville, Ohio, in March, 1892, . at an 
advanced age. 

THE TEEPLE FAMILY. 

Christopher Teeple was born in New Jersey. He came to 
this country in 1775, and remained only a short time. Leaving 
his son Isaac, the old gentleman removed to Canada, where he 
died. Isaac purchased a hundred acres of land, known now 
as the Teeple homestead, in Horseshoe, in Carroll township. 
He bought it from Massah or Maish Case, who was the father 
of Leonard Case, Sr. , who was the father of Leonard Case, of 
Cleveland, Ohio. Isaac Teeple had five brothers and two 
sisters, but none of theni, excepting one sister, settled in the 
neighborhood. Isaac married Catherine Castner on the farm 
owned by the Castner heirs in Horseshoe, on the 22nd day of 
November, 1788. Isaac was born near New Brunswick, New 
Jersey, August 28, 1760. His wife was born in Greensburg, 
Pa., or near that place, January 24, 1772. She was a daugh- 
ter of Peter and Mary Magdaline Castner. 

Peter was the father of Michael and John Castner, the latter 
of whom was the father of the late Daniel Castner, and grand- 
father of B. W. Castner, Esq., now residing on the Castner 
homestead in Horseshoe. Isaac lived front liis first coming to 

19 



I 

262 The Old and New MonongaheJa. 

to this country on the Teeple farm, where he died December 
7, 1828. His wife died January 0, 1849, and was buried with 
the remains of her husband in tlie Columbia graveyard, but in 
later years both remains were removed to the Monongahela 
cemetery. Isaac had a large family of girls and boys. Je- 
mima was born October 26, 1790. Peter and Christopher — 
twins — were born August 6, 1792 ; Mary, September 4, 1794; 
Joseph, December 13, 1797; Elijah, January 7, 1799; Eliza- 
beth, February 27, 1801; Isaac, February 11, 1803; Michael, 
May 9, 1805; Catharine, March 29, 1807; Christena, April 9. 
1809; Sarah Ann, October 29, 1812; Theresa, April 4, 1814. 

Christopher and Peter were twins and named after their 
grandfathers. They died in the state of Indiana. Joseph 
married a Miss Lash, February 7, 1820, near Bentleysville, 
attended mill on Pigeon creek for a short time, kept store in 
Beallsville, then removed to Stark county, Ohio, within eight 
miles of Massilon. He had two sons and five daughters. 

Jemima, March 11, 1819, married Andrew Burgett, of Bur- 
gettstown, Washington county. Both are dead, leaving one 
son, now living on the home place, adjoining the town. 

Mary, March 11, 1819, married Samuel Kutan, who lived for 
many years on the farm now owned by W. J. Manown, situated 
on the Monongahela river just above the old Brown ferry in 
Kostraver township, Westmoreland county. After the death of 
Rutan she married Samuel Davis, a brother of General John M. 
Davis, United States marshal for Western Pennsylvania under 
Jackson. Samuel Davis was the father of Samuel Davis, of 
the town of California, on the Monongahela, and of Mrs. Eliza 
Allen, wife of the late George W. Allen. The late Fortner 
Davis was a half brother of Samuel and Eliza. Mrs. Samuel 
Davis nee Teeple died some years ago on the Newkirk farm, 
near Bentleysville. 

Elizabeth Teeple, March 30, 1819, married Peter Smock. 
They are both dead. Their sons, Thomas and Leroy, reside in 
Wisconsin. They had five daughters of whom we have not any 
information. From what we can learn Peter Smock was the 



The Old and New Monongahela . 263 

sou of Abraham Smock, who married Polly Teeple, a sister of 
Isaac Teeple, the older, she having remained with him after the 
father removed to Canada. This Abraham Smock and Polly, 
his wife, had four pairs of twins in succession, viz. : Peter and 
Sallie, John and Barnett, Nettie aud Jennie, William and 
Jacob. This said Abraham Smock's father was Leonard 
Smock, and he had several sons, viz. : Abraham, Barnett, John, 
Leonard and Cornelius. Barnett was the father of Mrs. Mary 
Corwin, lately deceased in Bellevernon, Pa., and father of the 
late Henry Smock, whose wife was Betsy, daughter of the older 
Peter Shepler, of Rostraver. 

Christena Teeple married Casper Castner, brother of the late 
Daniel Castner. They had two children, Lewis Cass and Kate 
E. Lewis is in the drug business and Katie has long been 
one of the corps of teachers in the Hiland public school of 
Pittsburgh. 

Sarah Ann Teeple died in her 26th year, and Theresa in her 
seventh. Isaac Teeple married Margaret Williams December 
9th, 1839. Isaac at first settled on a farm in Richland county, 
Ohio. He traded this farm for the one on which he died, 
situated in Carroll township. Philip Crabb owned this farm at 
the time of the trade, but the late Edward Sprowls, the shoe- 
maker, resided on it for many years, Mr. Crabb never having 
resided on it. He lived for long years in Fallowfield, where 
he died. Edward Sprowls was the father of Obediah and 
Isaiah Sprowls, of Bentleysville. Isaiah was a scholar in the 
old Calhoon school; his father living at that time in the old 
house on the farm formerly owned by Abe Hull, but now by 
one of the Shannon boys. Isaac Teeple, soon after his mar- 
riage, moved to the farm where he died. He first occupied 
the old house, but afterwards built the present brick house. 
His wife died in ]<S08. They had 10 children. One boy and 
two girls arc dead. Kate C. married Clark Preston, near 
Ginger hill. Emma S. married Alcinus J. Hess, near the 
same place. Of Ada, Theresa, Sarah Ann and Josephine, we 
have no knowledge as to marriage. Thomas W. resides in 
Neosho county, Kansas, and Theodore resides on the old home. 



264 The Old and J^ew Mononijahela. 

Michael Teeple, named after Michael Castner, was born on 
the homestead in Carroll, and lived all his life on part of it. 
He married Eliza, daughter of the good .lesse Martin, so long 
connected with "the old chm'ch on the hill." They had four 
children. Jesse M. is dead ; he was in the 22nd Regiment 
Pennsylvania Cavalry, in the late war, under Capt. James Chess- 
rown. Clinton married Margaret, daughter of Wm. Wickerham, 
a granddaughter of Adam Wickerham, proprietor of the lower 
end of Williamsport, that part of the town known originally as 
Georgetown. Thomas B. married a Miss Giles. Kate B. 
married Robert, son of West Frye, of Finleyville. 

Elijah, son of Isaac Teeple, the older was born on the home- 
stead January 7, 1799, and died P'ebruary 5, 1S73. His first 
wife was Louisa Reagan, of Westmoreland county, Pa. They 
had several children. Cynthia married John Yohe, and died 
many years ago. John M. died in childhood. Ulysses R. resides 
in Monroe county, Iowa. Isophine married John Van Voor- 
his September 15, 1859, and resides in Monongahela City. John, 
her husband, was born September G, 1835, on the old Yan 
Voorhis homestead. 

John owns the old homestead farm called -'Sicily'" in the 
patent, where the Captain located his family in October, 178G. 
The patent, signed by Benjamin Franklin, was granted to him, 
bearing date March 17, 1787, under a survey granted Joseph 
Decker August 26, 1769, and deeded to Daniel Yan Yoorhis 
February 7, 1785. In those days deeds were often executed 
before a patent was issued. This deed demonstrates 1)eyond 
all doubt that the Captain came to this country in 1785. John 
and Isophine have six childen, viz : Charles E., Lulu J., 
Carrie E. Cynthia Serena, William T. and Eva I. 

Elijah Teeple's second wife was Dorcas, sister of James 
Sampson, of Carroll township. Their only child by this mar- 
riage was James Harvey. His third wife was Elizabeth 
Thomas. Elijah first lived after marriage and kept store in 
the frame house now owned by Mr. Robert IS'elson, on Main 
street, above Dr. Linn's dwelling, in Monongahela City. He 



Tlie Old and New Monrmgahela. 265 

moved from tliis house to a bjick house on Railroad street, a 
short distance below the planing mill of Neel & Blythe. He 
removed from this house to a frame house on the Pike, above 
Chess street, now owned by William Hanua. He finally 
moved to the stone house about one mile up the Pike, where 
the late Alexander Campbell resided for many years, and after- 
wards owned by a man the name of Beazell. In this house 
Elijah died. 

General John M. Davis. 

Catherine, daughter of Isaac Teeple the older, was born on 
the Teeple homestead, March 29th, 1807. Married General 
John M. Davis by the Rev. Boyd Mercer, May ITth, 1825. 
Made ' ' their appearance ' ' at church in Centreville, Washing- 
ton county, Pa.,' after a wedding trip to Ohio on a visit to her 
sister and brother Joseph. General Davis was born in Lan- 
caster, Pa., January 10th, 1783, and died November 28tli, 
1853, in Pittsburgh, in that part known now as the East End. 
General Davis was a military man by nature, and cultivated 
the military spirit throughout his life. He was appointed by 
Governor Thomas McKean a captain in the militia of the district 
of Franklin and Cumberland counties, his commission bearing 
date of May 3d, 1804. He was commissioned as 2d lieutenant 
in the 2d regiment United States infantry by President Jeffer- 
son May 3d, 1803. He was appointed Ist Lieutenant in the 
same regiment by President Madison, January 1st, 1810, and 
was commissioned captain in the same regiment by Madison 
May 30th, 1813; and for gallant conduct during the siege and 
battle of New Orleans he was appointed major by brevet 
December 23d, 1811. He enlisted while a resident of Lancas- 
ter, went to New Orleans part of the way on foot and part in a 
barge. He served during the war under General Jackson; was 
wounded by a ball in the foot, and in the face by a bayonet, at 
the famous battle of New Orleans, and was personally compli- 
mented by Jackson for his brave behavior in that battle. At 
the close of the war he went to the state of Georgia, where his 



266 The Old and Neio Monongahela. 

excellency, John Clark, conmtissioned him captain of the 
Independent Blues, attached to the 46th regiment, June Tth, 
1823. Altogether he was in United States service 14 years, 
having also been in the Seminole war. His wife, to the day of 
her death, retained in her possession all of his commissions, 
and many autograph letters from General Jackson to her hus- 
band. After his return from Georgia, Davis settled in Wash- 
ington county, Pa. 

On the election of General Jackson as President, he was 
appointed Marshal of the Western District of Pennsylvania, 
over David Lynch, of Allegheny. In January, 1839, Jack- 
son, with A. J. Donaldson and wife, attended by servants, 
started to take his seat, traveling in his own conveyance. They 
came to Washington, Pa. via Wheeling, and were persuaded 
there to go east via Pittsburgh. General Davis having heard 
that he had gone out of his way, started from Beallsville, 
where he had resided since his marriage to Catherine Teeple, 
and overtook the President-elect at a hotel formerly known as 
the Merchant's Hotel, on Wood street, Pittsburgh, He found 
at the door a large crowd eager to get a sight of the new Presi- 
dent, and among them was David Lynch, Davis' competitor 
for the Marshalship. Davis was informed by those having 
cl^arge of the door that he could not be admitted, which an- 
nouncement seemed to please Lynch very much. Davis, not 
discouraged, wrote his name on a slip of paper and asked one 
of the doorkeepers if he would please hand that to the President- 
elect. He said yes, and the moment the name met the eye of 
Jackson he exclaimed, "Certainly, admit my old friend.'' He 
greeted him with a hearty shake of the hand, saying,. " How 
are you. Major, my old friend and fellow soldier, with whom 
I have fought many a battle, and how is little 'Andy,''' 
(Davis' son A. J.) As Davis entered the door amidst the 
crowd, some one cried out, "Lynch, that is too old a soldier 
for you." Although a committee from Pittsburgh had met 
Jackson at Washington and escorted him to the city, yet he, 
through the advice of his friend Davis, retraced his steps to 



The Old and Neiv Monongahela. 267 

Washiiigtoli, accompanied by Davis. He stopped with Davis 
for dinner at his residence in Beallsville, where over five 
hundred people were assembled, most of whom partook of the 
hospitality of Davis. Three kinds of wine, made by Mrs. 
Davis, were on the table, and Jackson declared the wine to be 
the best he ever tasted. He was dressed in a plain black suit, 
with a hat a la iiiod<? stove pipe. Davis accompanied him to 
Uniontown, promising his wife to return that evening, but 
enjoying the company of Jackson so well, he hesitated about 
going home that day, but the President said, "Friend Davis, 
you promised your wife to be at home this evening and you 
must return." 

Shortly after taking his seat Jackson appointed Davis mar- 
shal of the district, which he held during both terms of his 
administration, and on his retirement from office Davis was re- 
tained one year under the administration of Van Buren at the 
special request of his friend Jackson. Davis was appointed by 
Governor Shultze justice of the peace in Washington county 
A-pril 3, 1828, which office, as well as postmaster at Beallsville, 
he held when he removed to Allegheny City to enter upon his 
duties as marshal. He had been for some time in the mercan- 
tile and tannery business before his removal from Beallsville. 
In 1834 he removed to the beautiful residence near East Lib- 
erty, now on Penn avenue, and owned at this time by his son, 
Dr. A. J. Davis. At this place he died November 28, 1853, 
and here also his wife Catherine died February 28, 1886. 

Davis received his title as general from the position of major- 
general of the Allegheny County Militia, in which office he 
served for many years. His first wife was Nancy McGirk. 
They had no children. By his second wife, Catherine, he had 
two boys and two girls. John, Minor and Theresa Maria died 
in early life. Ann Elizabeth was born July 1, 1827, in Bealls- 
ville, and died at the homestead in East Liberty July 10, 1853, 
A. Jackson was also born at Beallsville, and is now one of the 
most prominent physicians in Allegheny county. He never 
married, and still ( 1893 ) resides at the homestead in the full 
enjoyment of health and wealth. 



'26b The Old and JVew Monongahela. 



THE FRYE FAMILY. 

The Speers and Frje names were introduced into the wilds 
of Western Pennsylvania about the year 1772. Henry Speers, 
the older, with Regena Froman, his wife, settled on the farm 
now known as the Gibsonton Mills, on the Monongahela river 
below Bellevernon. Abraham Frye and family located on the 
opposite side of the river. He owned and afterwards gave to 
his children, among others, the farms now owned by John 
Conrad at Lock No. 4, by Joseph Ryan, William McMehan, 
Smith Frye, James Sampson and William Rogers. The Speers 
and Fryes were intimately associated in everything that per- 
tained to each other's comfort, and this fact, in those days of 
trial and danger, was no small affair. In going from place to 
place or in the field these settlers were compelled, for personal 
safety, to carry fire-arms so as to meet the attacks of the In- 
dians. At one time the girls and boys of the Frye family hav- 
ing gone across the river to milk their cows, were overtaken by 
a storm. They sought shelter under a tree, and whilst there 
one of their number was killed by lightning. In the midst of 
this sore trouble the Indian's whoop was heard in the distance, 
warning them of a new danger. Leaving the dead one, the 
others sought security beneath the floor of an old cabin. They 
were hardly quiet in their new retreat before the Indians 
entered the cabin, in which they remained all night, dancing 
and whooping, unconscious of the prize within their grasp. It 
was a long night to the prisoners beneath the floor, but when 
morning came the Indians departed and the milkers escaped to 
their dwelling, where the sad story was told. The bones of 
this dead one no doubt was the first of the Frye family to bleach 
on the banks of the Monongahela. We are able to trace the 
history of two sous and one daughter of Abraham Frye, Sr. 
Their names were Abraham, Nancy and Samuel. We cannot 
determine whether Benjamin Frye, one of the executors of the 
older Henry Speers, was a brother of the last named or not. 



The Old and New Monongahela. 269 

but bis wife being a dangbter of Henry Speers leads us to infer 
tbat be was a brother of Abrabam Frye, Sr. 

Abraham Frye, Jr., son of Abraham Frye, Sr. , married a 
daughter of Henry Speers, and bad a large family. In this 
way we make it out that he and Benjamin were brothers and 
married sisters — daughters of Henry Speers. Their sons were 
Thomas, Benjamin, Abraham, Smith, Luke, Johnson, Noah, 
James and Elijah. He lived and died on the farm now owned 
by the late Mrs. Joseph Ryan, near lock No. 4, on the Monon- 
gahela river. He built the old house which was torn down by 
James S. Jones, to give place for the present building. We 
think his remains are in the old Frye graveyard on the hill, 
above the upper end of Charleroi. 

His son, Benjamin, resided for many years on the farm now 
owned by the heirs of John Carson, lately deceased. Benja- 
min also ran an old-fashioned water grist and saw mill, in what 
is now known as Scott's hollow, which lead from his farm to 
Pigeon creek, in Carroll. The entire mill at one time was 
washed into Pigeon creek by an imaginary water spout; the 
very millstones were taken into the creek, a mile distant. He 
removed w^est very many years ago. 

Abraham's son, Abraham, known in his day as West's Abe. 
lived on the Jacob Crabb farm, in Fallowfield, now owned by 
the heirs of Washington Cooper. He kept an Inn where 
travelers were entertained and musters of the militia were held 
on the first Monday of May in each year until the good old law 
was repealed. After the building of the state road from Pitts- 
burgh to Brownsville, in about 1832, the traveling on this route 
was very large for that day. Four-horse coaches were at times 
on regular days run on this road, but the principal travel was 
by horseback. Frye's Inn was a famous stopping place on this 
road. The mail was never carried on this road — It was carried 
from Beallsville via Bentleysville, Williamsport, Rogally, &c., 
to Pittsburgh. Even after the building of the Pike the Williams- 
port people depended on the cross mail via Rogally for their 
principal mail. Benjamin Frye removed many years ago to 
Sandusky, Ohio, where he died at an advanced age. 



270 The Old and Neio Mcnumgahela. 

About 60 years ago Smith Frye moved to Illiuois; was one 
of the first settlers of Peoria city, was Sheriff of Peoria county; 
was a tine talker; and was regarded as a shrewd, popular and 
successful business man and politician. He was killed in a 
personal encounter with some individual at the same place 
where his son, Jacob, was killed in after time. 

Luke lived near the old Baptist church in Horseshoe. His 
wife was a West. Luke w^as the father of West Frye, Esq., 
who had long been a resident of Finloyville, in Washington 
county, where he died March 12, 1891. He was also the 
father of the wife, Elgy Yan Voorhis, who many years ago 
lived at the old distillery, which is now owned by W. J. Mar- 
kell, in Carroll, on what is known as Yerty's run. Elgy is 
still living, but his wife is dead; he has long been one of 
Greene county's most wealthy cattle dealers. West Frye mar- 
ried Christina, daughter of the late Daniel Yan Yoorhis. She 
was a sister of Mrs. Sallie Cooper, of Mingo, and Mrs. B. F. 
Bentley, of Monongahela City. 

Johnson, another son of Abraham Frye, died at Kingland's 
old mill on Maple creek, now known as the Twilight mill. He 
was the father of A. P. Frye, who died on the old Cooper 
farm, at the mouth of Maple creek, a few years since. His 
remains, ■ along with those of his wife, who died afterwards, 
were interred in the Monongahela cemetery. A. P. Fry was 
the father of Johnson, of whose whereabouts we do not know; 
also the father of Hester, wife of B. Parsons, of Maple creek, 
and H. B. Frye, a well known business man at this time in 
Allegheny City. The oldest son, Noah, died many years ago 
in Bellevernon. Noah, son of Abraham Frye, married Lucy 
Colvin ; he lived in East Williamsport, better known as Cats- 
burg, in the first ward of Monongahela City. Noah was killed 
in a coal bank near Dagg's ferry. Thomas, another son, mar- 
ried a West and lived all his life on the farm at Lock No. 4, 
now owned by John Conrad. The old house in 1889 was torn 
down and in its stead John Conrad has erected a beavitiful 
mansard roof frame building. It is one of the most attractive 



The Old and New Monongahela. 271 

residences in the valley, and its design and finish reflects great 
credit on the owner, architect and Lnihler. 

Thomas' son Resin now resides in the town of Bellewood 
below Monongahela City, although his large landed estate is 
situated in Fallowfield and Carroll townships. He is one of 
Washington county's most successful farmers. His wife is a 
daughter of the late John Eckles, a well-known mechanic in 
early days. She is a sister of Hamilton Eckles, a well-known 
river man, whose wife was Lucinda, daughter of the late Sam- 
uel Reeves, of Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, who 
lived and died on the farm now owned by his son Samuel. 

One of Thomas Frye's daughters married John Wilson, who 
resided near the site of the old Horseshoe meeting house and 
was a wealthy and successful farmer. He is deceased. Another 
daughter married Noah Jones, of Bentleysville. Rev. O. P. 
Hargrave's wife is also a daughter; her former husband was 
Stephen Thomas, long known in his connection with Lock No. 
4. Another daughter married Andrew Hazelbaker, now de- 
ceased. The remaining members of the family of Thomas 
Frye we cannot trace. 

Nancy, daughter of Abraham Frye, was the wife of the late 
Noah Speers, who laid out Bellevernon, and whose history in 
detail will be given in another place. 

Samuel, brother of Abraham Frye, occupied tlie high lands 
of the Frye family. He built and died in the old frame house 
that stood near the new one erected by Jackson Frye, and now 
owned by James Sampson. Samuel married Christina, daugh- 
ter of Henry Speers, the older. They had several sons and 
daughters. Isaac moved to Illinois, where he died many years 
ago. Samuel married Elizabeth, better known as "Aunt 
Betty,'" daughter of the late Captain Daniel Yan Voorhis by 
his third wife, and only sister of the late Isaac Van Voorhis. 
They lived in the old log house which stood near the brick 
house built by their son Solomon, and on the farm now owned 
by William Rogers, it being a part of the original Frye home- 
stead. 



272 Tlie Old and Neio Monongaliela. 

Samuel and wife had a large family of boys and girls. Sol- 
omon married a daughter of Parker Scott, Esq. She died a 
few years since in the town of California, on the Monongahela 
river. Her husband was one of the old fashioned mechanics 
who work to the scribe. He acquired considerable reputa- 
tion by the publication of a volume of miscellaneous poems. 
He is dead. Nancy married Samuel McCrory, whose 
mother was a daughter of the well known elder, Henry Speers, 
and grand daughter of the older Henry Speers, and sister of 
the late Apollus Speers, of Speers' Ferry. Nancy's husband 
died in 1852, leaving her with a large family. She is deceased. 
Lewis, another son of Samuel and Elizabeth Frye, married a 
sister of John Shanton, of Carroll township, and has been dead 
many years. Henry is a wealthy farmer in the vicinity of Bent- 
leysville. His wife has been dead some years. Samuel resides 
in or about Bentleysville. 

Louisa, one of the daughters, married John Shanton, Esq., 
Ursula was Jefferson Redd's first wife, and Sallie was his 
second wife, all of whom are dead. 

Bettie married E. T. Cooper, son of F. K. Cooper, of the 
Dutch settlement in Carroll. He built the stone distillery just 
below the upper wharf in Monongahela City. Shortly after it 
was in operation it was destroyed by fire. Of late years it has 
been converted into a knitting factory. The Doctor and wife 
are now residents of Beaver county. 

The father, Samuel Frye, of these children, died some 60 
years ago; but "Aunt Betty'' lived until August 18th, 1875. 
Rebecca, sister of Samuel Frye, married Henry Shepler, who 
lived and died in the old house that stood where the new resi- 
dence of William Rogers was erected, near what is known as 
Cooper's mill, on Maple creek. 

Katie married William Croskey, of the vicinity of Cadiz, 
Ohio. Sarah married John Van Voorhis. In 1812 he moved 
to Muskingum. The history of John and Sarah is given more 
in detail elsewhere. Mary Frye married Daniel Van Voorhis, 
whose history is given in the Van Voorhis Family. 



The Old mid New Monongahela. 273 

Abraham Frye, better knowu as Riugland's Abe, was born 
ill the old house before mentioned, on the old Frye tract of 
land, on the 12tli day of January, 1793. He married Isabella 
Ringland September 13th, 1813, in the old house that stood 
above the present residence of his son-in-law, Abram Colvin, 
on the Brownsville road, in Fallowfield. In the same house 
was born his wife, on the 5th day of April, 1796. Her father, 
John Ringland, was in his day regarded as the largest land 
holder in Washington county. His children all died early, ex- 
cepting Mrs. Frye, who, at his death, inherited his large 
estate. 

Abraham was one of the best of men. Naturally good- 
hearted, was generous to a fault. He never learned any trade, 
yet he was skilled beyond his day in almost every trade. He 
made of iron or wood whatever he needed. In the absence of 
an anvil he used his ax driven into a piece of wood, and with 
this improvised anvil before the kitchen fire he made many a 
useful article, even at the expense of annoying the. cooks. He 
was general pewter-spoon moulder for the neighborhood, and 
his moulds, then so convenient, are still in existence. He shod 
his own horses, made his own grain cradles and sickles, his own 
files; made and operated the first threshing machines in the 
county, or anywhere else, a part of which can still be seen; he 
cut the stone for and built his model spring house; cut and put 
in place the stone in the house in Vvhich ho and his wife lived 
and died, and in which his son Smith now resides. In a word, 
he was a man of extraordinary genius. He always lived on the 
farm where he was born. The remains of both are interred in 
the family burying-ground on the farm. Soon after his mar- 
riage he went to Tennessee to see if he could find a better loca- 
tion, but returned in a very short time and told his wife: "No 
better place than home; we will build a new house,'" and the 
sequel speaks for itself. His sons Samuel and John both married 
daughters of Parker Scott, Esq., and both of them have nearly 
always since marriage lived on the old Ringland mill farm on 
Maple creek. Their wives are deceased. Christina, daughter 



274 The Old and New Monongahela. 

of Abraham Frye, married Abram Colvin. They reside in the 
new brick house near the old Ringland mansion on the Browns- 
ville and Pittsburgh state road. Smith lives on the homestead 
where his parents died. Jackson recently sold to James Samp- 
son his part of the home farm, and removed to Southern Kan- 
sas. His first wife was a daughter of Garret Wall, Esq., of 
Allegheny county, and his present wife is a daughter of the late 
Moses Colvin. Henry, Abraham and Noah live in Tennessee. 
Noah is dead. Sarah Ann is the wife of Thomas McGowan, 
of Lock No. 4, who has been identified since his youth with 
the Monongahela Navigation Company. Clarissa married 
Alexander Allman, and is dead. Isabella is the wife of E. T. 
Van Yoorhis, of the vicinity of Kansas City, Mo. 

Dr. Matthew Portek Morrison. 

At five o'clock on Tuesday evening, November 10th, 1885, 
this excellent man passed peacefully away, at his home in 
Monongahela City, Pa. He was aged 58 years, 10 months and 
27 days. 

Doctor Morrison was born on the farm situated on the Mon- 
ongahela river, near lock No. 3, in Elizabeth township, 
Allegheny county, December 14th, 1826. In April, 1837, his 
father having sold his farm removed to Monongahela City with 
his family, and occupied the house owned by the Doctor and 
occupied by the family ever since. His father died a few 
months after he settled here, on October the 16th, 1837. 

He received his first academic training at the academy 
of the late T. R. Hazzard, Esq., and E. S. Blake. 
He entered Washington College, where he graduated in the 
class of 1847. Hon. James G. Blaine, Hon. John H. Hamjv 
ton, Esq., of Pittsburgh, Alexander Wilson, Esq., of Wash- 
ington, were members of the same class. 

After reading a course of medicine with the late Dr. Samuel 
M. King, he graduated at Jefterson Medical College in the 
year 1851. He subsequently attended and held a diploma 
from a Boston institution, where he took a special course on 



The Old and New Monongahela. 275 

diseases of women and children. Soon after his graduation as 
a physician he was associated in practice and as a partner with 
Dr. R. F. Biddle, in this city, where he has practiced continu- 
ously till within a few weeks, except during his four years' 
service in the Union army during the war for the suppression 
of the rebellion. His practice of medicine covers about 34 
years, being at the time of his death the senior physician of the 
place, and of course with a very large clientage. 

He joined the army August 6th, 1861, as assistant surgeon 
of (the old 13th) Col. Rowley's 102nd Penn'a Vols.; was pro- 
moted to surgeon with the rank of major, September 12th, 
1862, and was mustered out June 28th, 1865, being at that 
time surgeon of the second division of the sixth corps. He 
was a member of Post 60, G. A. R. 

Of his worth as a friend, his judgment and sagacity as a 
physician, his learning as a scholar, his integrity and nobility 
of character in the walks of civil life, and of his devotion to 
his- country as a soldier, his warm hearted friendship, his stern 
adherence to right living and thinking, of the warm place he 
held in the hearts of the families which he visited both as 
physician and friend — of these things we need not speak — they 
arc the choicest memories of this sad hour in a thousand hearts. 

Dr. M. P. Morrison brought to his profession a mind 
thoroughly familiar with the principles and practice of metlicine. 
He honored the profession in which he was eminently 
successful. 

His death brings a genuine sorrow, brightened only l)y the 
words wdiich his lips framed, almost with his last breath, 
•'Not my will l)nt Thine." 

The Death of Joseph S. Morrison, Esq. 

Died in Pittsburgh, Pa., April 20th, 1886, in the 62nd year 
of his age. He was buried in the Monongahela cemetery 
April 22nd, at 2.30- o'clock. The Daily EepuhHcan says: 

The death of this estimable gentleman, following so soon 
that of his brother, the doctor, comes with peculiar sadness to 



27() The Old and New MonongaJtela. 

his many frieuds. He was one of us — he never wearied of 
Monongahela, his happiest moments were spent on the hills of 
his birth, and he loved the trees whose history he knew and 
whose companionship he sought as if they were his elder 
brother. The river never lost its charm to him; and coming 
up on the train, his chosen seat was on the shore side, watch- 
ing the sun-lit sparkle of its waters and the ripple of its waves. 
A botanist of reading and much lore, each pleasant day at 
home found him among the flowers and leaves; but in the 
special work of arbor culture he found chiefest delight, and a 
tree to him was a book, a ^picture, a poem — with Thompson he 
sang: 

Welcome ye shades, ye bowery thickets hail! 

Ye lofty piucs, ye venerable oaks; 

Delicious is your shelter to the soul. 

His College Life. 

Joseph Scott Morrison was a graduate of Washington College 
of the class of 1844, having for his classmates Rev. J. T. 
Brownlee, D. D., Dr. J. S. Yan Voorhis, Rev. W. F. Hamil- 
ton, D. D., Hon. M. B. Hagans, Hon. J. H. Wallace, and 
others, during the Professorship of Dr. McConaughey, Profs. 
Alrich, Lee, Milligan, Ferguson. From the "class history" 
we quote the following sketch: 

Morrison was more distinguished at college foi- proficiency in 
the exercises of the literary society than the class-room. The 
treasures of English literature were treasures over which he 
gloated with delight. When the names of McCauley, Carlisle, 
Tenneyson, Bancroft, Motley and Longfellow were names less 
familiar to the public ear than now, it was his pleasure and 
pride to cultivate familiar acquaintance with their works. As 
an essayist, he was perhaps unexcelled by any of his fellow- 
students during the later part of his collegiate course. On two 
occasions he represented his literary society on contest — once 
as an essayist and once as a debator. On the former occasion 
he was successful, and on the latter represented his society with 
distinguished credit. In person, Morrison was tall and slender. 



The Old and Neio Monongahela . 277 

When poised in the bahmce many of his class-mates could 
weigh him down, but none of them looked down from so lofty 
a hoig-ht as he. It was a conceit with which he was wont to 
please himself, that in future years he would grow out in large- 
ness as he had already grown up in height; but the latest re- 
ports do not bring to view as yet any marked symptoms of the 
anticipated physical development. After graduation he studied 
law in the office of the Hon. T. M. T. McKennan in Washing- 
ton, Pa., and from the time of his admission to the bar till the 
present has been engaged in the practice of his profession in 
the city of Pittsburgh. To Morrison, thus far, belongs the sole 
distinction among his class-mates of having remained proof 
against the captivating power of the sex. He is the bachelor 
of the class. Of this there were no special premonatory sym- 
toms while he was a student. The arrows of the little winged 
archer, which fly as thickly through a college atmosphere as 
elsewhere, seemed quite as likely in him as in others to find 
their mark. 

On commencement day, when the time was drawing near for 

the announcement of his name, he whispered in the ear of his 

class mate, who sat hard by, his determination to draw inspi- 

I ration for the effort before him from the pair of large bright 

,■ eyes that were sparkling near one of the columns back in the 

I audience. Other evidences were not wanting of his liability 

' during student life as readily as any of the " lords of creation ^' 

to be under "woman's control.'" But his independence is 

still maintained. His class unites are no doubt ready to extend 

unto him their congratulations or sympathy, from whichever 

fund he may choose to draw. 

V ' The daily papers of Pittsburgh, noting his death, speak of 

i' the deceased in the highest terms as a gentleman, a scholar, 

and a wise counsellor at law. 

A Tendek Memokv. 

Joseph IS. Morrison, Esq., while home on Sabbath day last, 
]»aid his usual afternoon visit to the cemetery, and on his return 



278 The Old and Nem Monongahela. 

remarked to his sister, Mrs. Alexander, "It is very beautiful 
in the cemetery, Eliza, very beautiful, and the birds seem so 
happy ; I felt as if I would like to stay up there all the time. ' ' 
How prophetic! To-day he is laid there, amid the flowers and 
the birds and the trees — to stay all the time. 



[From Mouougahela i?epitb/ica7i.] 

Death of Major A. P. Morrison. 

Major Andrew Porter Morrison died at his office. No. 155 
Fourth street, Pittsburgh at 12:40, Wednesday noon, Novem- 
ber 5th, 1890, in his 61st year, of myocarditis, or weakening 
of the muscles controlling the heart action. 

The details of his death are thus told by Attorney C. E. 
McIIvain : "The Major and myself were accustomed to sit in 
my oflice, which is on the floor below his, and together read 
the morning papers, possibly to chat a bit over the news, then 
he would go up to his ofljce. Wednesday we both went down 
on the train together, and when I got to my office he was 
standing at the door waiting, and we both went in together ; 
about nine he remarked, ' this election is a surprise in many 
respects,' and passed on up stairs. Soon after a number of 
young attorneys gathered in, and we were talking over the 
election when I heard a rapping on the floor above, coming 
from Major Morrison's room, and knowing that it was certainly 
done for a purpose, I stepped into the hall and there met the 
letter carrier, who said, ' that gentleman up stairs is quite 
sick. ' 

"• I went at once, and found Mr. Morrison on the floor in front 
of the fire, a large book under his head and his heavj- cape coat 
drawn over his shoulders. He was unconscious; his spectacle 
case was on his table, the paper folded and laid beside it, and 
to all appearance feeling sick and chilly, he had lain down by 
the fire, too weak to do more, and while there he had made the 
alarm I heard. Summoning some friends from below, I at once 
dis]>atclied for his relatives, and for physicians, calling \)x. 



The Old and Nem Monongahela. 279 

Fleming, who was, with Dr. Patten, his consulting physician. 
The major recovered consciousness, was placed on a cot, and 
seemed easier. He calmly announced, however, that he was 
-^ dying. He said to me, ' Tell Eliza and William, and all my 
friends that I am thinking of them now. ' When Dr. Fleming 
arrived he was recognized, and said, ' This is the end, doctor, 
of which you spoke; I am dying now,' and he said this as 
calmly as if he had said, I am going to sleep. He died at 
twenty minutes to one o'clock, his last words being ' My sister 
Eliza.' " 

Mr. Mcllvaine was with him all those last hours, and we 

have given these datails because it is well for the world to 

know how peacefully a good man dies. 

\ Andrew P. Morrison, the fourth child of John and Margaret 

Morrison, was born November 2nd, 1829, on their farm, then 

known as Leechburg, on the Allegheny county side, just south 

of lock No. 3. The family came to this city in 1837. After 

graduating from Washington College he read law with his 

; brother and with Judge McKennan in 1852-4. He practiced 

t law in Pittsburgh with Joseph from 1854 till 18G1, when he 

»' entered the Union army. He enlisted May 1st, 1861, in 

Company A, Ninth Reserves; was made a corporal, and pro- 

, moted July, 1862, to be sergeant major; was wounded badly 

t at South Mountain; was mustered out with his regiment May 

[ 12th, 1861. 

He was a member of Duquesne Post, No. 259, G. A. R. ,. 
Pittsburgh, and that post to-day attends the funeral services of 
, two members. Major Morrison and Dr. Benham, both gradu- 
ates of the same college and both Union veterans. Comrade 
Morrison, it will be remembered, was the installing officer of Post 
60, ill our Opera house last winter, when Colonel Tom Stewart 
was here. He was historian of the Ninth Regiment at the 
dedication of the Gettysburg monuments, and his address on 
that occasion will be published by the state. It is a careful, 
conscientious and accurate historical paper. 

Major Morrison was married September 11, 1866, to Re- 



280 The Old and New Monongahela. 

becca S. H. Davis, of Pittsburgh, who died in September 
of 1877. More than a year ago, being warned of the approach 
of this heart trouble, he relinquished his law practice, refused 
all new business, and was rapidly closing up his docket. 

A. P. Morrison was a man of the highest type; the moral 
atmosphere which surrounded him was pure, the example which 
he set was helpful. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church, 
upright, honorable, courteous. PI is instincts were all gentle, 
his manner urbane, his friendship true as gold; his career was 
that of honorable manhood, respected citizenship, unquestioned 
morality and professional integrity. 

Mrs. Eliza Morrison Alexander, 

The beloved wife of William J. Alexander, died suddenly at 
her home, on Wednesday morning, June 28th, 1893, in her 
73rd year. She had been suffering from the weakness of ad- 
vancing age for the past few years, and on Thursday evening 
fell to the floor from an attack of cerebral hemorrhage, and 
died very much as her brothers had died. "Aunt Eliza,'' as 
she was known to her nearest friends, and as she chose to bo 
called, has lived evenly and quietly a life of love, walking in a 
pathway made as smooth for her as affection could suggest, in 
a thousand ways, and giving in return the unaffected devotion 
of an unselfish heart. This is the whole story of her life — she 
was gentle and good and considerate of others — she illustrated 
her Christian faith by fidelity to its teachings. Her's was a 
kindly soul, and her's a home-loving heart — home-loving in a 
marked degree. 

Eliza Morrison Alexander was born January 11th, 1821; 
married to William J. Alexander November 14th, 1844, by 
Rev. John Kerr. 

THE MORRISON FAMILY. 

Eliza is the last of the family, and when she is laid to rest 
its annals will be closed, John Morrison was born in Ireland, 



The Old and New Monongahela. 281' 

near Loiidonderry, in 1789; emigrated to the United States in 
1812, and settled in the neigliborhood of Mingo creek church 
on February 29th, 1820. He was married to Margaret Porter, 
daughter of Mathew and Elizabeth Porter, residing on a farm 
about three miles from this town. About the time of his mar- 
riage he purchased a farm to which he and his young wife 
moved. 

The farm was situated on the Monongahela river, 2|^ miles 
from Elizabeth, in Forward township. On this farm all their 
children, Eliza, Joseph, Porter, Andrew, Jane and James, were 
born. In the spring of 1837, having received a satisfactory 
offer, the farm was sold and he removed to this town with his 
family. He purchased the real estate for a home which now 
becomes the decedent estate of his oldest daughter, Mrs. Eliza 
Alexander. John Morrison died October 16th, 1837, leaving 
his widow with five children. She died September, 1882. 

Hon. T. R. Hazzakd. 

Died on Monday morning, September 3, 1877, at his late resi- 
dence in Monongahela City, Pa., Hon. T. R. Hazzard. He 
was taken ill while at church Sabbath evening. He died of 
disease of the heart. The deceased was born on the 25th day 
of October, 1814, at Oxford, in Shenango county, N. Y. He 
emigrated from Jamestown, N. Y., to Williamsport, now Mo- 
nongahela City, Pa., in the year 1836. After teaching a 
classical academy for a time he returned to Allegheny College 
at Meadville, Pa., and completed his collegiate course. Among 
his classmates were ex-Governor F. H. Pierpoint, of West 
Virginia, and ex- Governor Reuben E. Fenton, of New York. 
He studied law with Judge Marvin, and on his return to Wash- 
ington county. Pa., was admitted to the Washington bar at 
November terin, 1840. At the time of his death he was the 
oldest member of the Washington bar, excepting A. W. Ache- 
son. He was married by Rev. Dr. Ralston to Miss Harriet 
Hamilton, daughter of the late Joseph Hamilton. His wife and 
iouY sons survived him, but his wife passed away March 10, 



282 The Old mid New Monongahela. 

1887, in her 64th year. His little Willie, Nettie and Martha 
had preceded them to the spirit land. He lived, with the ex- 
ception of a few years, all the time in this city since his first 
arrival in Monongahela City, where he was the first academic 
teacher, and to him his adopted city owes the largest measure 
of that educational spirit which is so characteristic of its citi- 
zens. He was especially versed in polite and classical litera- 
ture, and as a teacher he had few superiors. To him are in- 
debted for their taste for learning many who are now active 
and prominent participants in the great field of literature and 
science. He was a finished musical scholar, and was for many 
years a leading musician in the Presbyterian church of Monon- 
gahela City. He was principal^ of the Bellevernon academy 
from 1842 to 1845. 

Dr. J, S. Van Yoorhis, of Bellevernon, Pa., in his centen- 
nial address in 1876, said: "This academy was started in the 
spring of 1842. T. R. Hazzard, Esq., an experienced teacher 
formerly of New York state, was the principal. The institu- 
tion closed in 1845. At the institution, among Hazzard's stu- 
dents, were Chief Justice G. W. McElvain, of Ohio; Hon. D. 
M. Letterman, of Pennsylvania; Dr. J. H. Storer, of West Vir- 
ginia; Dr. J. C. Cooper, of Philadelphia; James L. Finley, of 
Westmoreland county; Neal G. Blaine, brother of the distin- 
guished prime minister of Maine; William Fuller, of Fayette 
county, and now a distinguished business man of Philadelphia; 
Dr. Robert Niccolls, of Bloomington, 111. ; William G. John- 
son, of Pittsburgh; Major P. C. Walker, of Helena, Mont., 
and others whose names we cannot recall. Hon. T. R. Haz- 
zard long resided in Monongahela City, where, as counsellor 
and citizen, he enjoyed the confidence of his fellow-men." 

T. R. Hazzard, Esq., was for many years editor and pro- 
prietor of the RepiMican. In it he always fearlessly defended 
and advocated the right. He was a chaste, intelligent and 
forcible writer, expressing his ideas in short but well finished 
sentences. He was a great friend of literary institutions, and 
was always in the front when the good of literature was in 



The Old and New Monongahela. 283 

question. He was devotedly wedded to liis adopted city — ever 
ready to aid whatever might redound to its progress. He was 
a democrat when he came to Washington county, but in the 
hard cider and log cabin campaign of 1840,, he was converted 
to the doctrines of the great whig party at a mass meeting at 
Wall's, near the old William Penn school, in Elizabeth (now 
Forward) township, at which meeting W. W. Irwin — Pony 
Irwin, and Frances C. Flannegan were the principal speakers. 
He held on to this faith until the dissolution of the party in 
1852, when he became thoroughly engulfed in the unpara- 
lelled flood of knownothingism which swept all old political 
organizations out of existence. After that party had worked 
out its mission, he became identified in 1856 with the republi- 
can party and adhered to it to the day of his death. 

His son, Chill W., is the accomplished editor of the Monon- 
gahela MejnMican^ and as an editor he holds position in the 
highest rank. For over 30 years that paper has been under 
his management, and to its influence Monongahela City owes 
its greatest measure of progress. He passed through the late 
war with a conduct that not only elicited tlie commendation of 
his superior officers, but of the government, as shown in his 
being breveted major for meritorious service. He served as 
postmaster for 12 years in his native town, and retired from the 
position without a blemish on his integrity as a man or ability 
as an officer. His name has often been mentioned in connec- 
tion with high civil office, but he has never been a candidate 
otherwise than in the Grand Army of the Republic, where he 
has held the highest position. Joseph DeVernon, another sou 
of T. R. Hazzard, passed through the late war with the loss of 
an arm. He is now an orange grower in Forida. 

Thomas L., the youngest son, is a prominent physician in 
Allegheny City, and a member of the Medical Faculty in the 
Western Pennsylvania Medical College, located in Pittsburgh. 
John J., the remainining son, was connected with the banking 
business for many years in Pittsburgli, but where he is now 
engaged in business we are unable to state. 



284 The Old and New Monongahela. 

T. R. Hazzard, Esq., was long a member of the Presbyte- 
rian Church, and cherished its precious doctrines as an epitome 
of that Holy Bible, of which he was a devoted student. He 
always took an active part in the prayer meetings and Sabbath 
school, of which he was many years Superintendent. On the 
last Sabbath of his life he attended church in the morning, sat 
at the communion table at noon, attended his Bible class in the 
afternoon, went to church in the evening, was taken ill while 
there ; when the morning carae he was in Heaven. The smile 
that graced his countenance at death tells the story " that he 
heard the music within,"' and as he passed from earth, heard 
the voice of the Savior saying, ' ' Come ye blessed of my 
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you." He was 
buried in tlie beautiful cemetery overlooking his adopted city. 
The deceased was often called to stations of honor and trust 
by his fellow citizens, who never regretted their choice, for, 
when his work was done, he surrendered these trusts and re- 
ceived the plaudit " Well done thou good and faithful servant. ■" 
Our friend has gone to the grave with true nobility stamped 
on his brow. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention 
of 1873-4, in the proceedings of which he took an active and 
prominent part. His speeches, delivered in his usual calm and 
dignified manner, grace many pages of its Journal, and to his 
learning and sound judgment we are indebted for many of the 
valuable ideas incorporated in the new Constitution. His do- 
mestic virtues cannot be more beautifully portrayed than by 
quoting his own words as uttered by himself on the occasion of 
the death of his colleague. Col. Wm. Hopkins, a member of 
the same convention : "He (Col. Hopkins) was an affection- 
ate and true husband, a kind parent, a considerate neighbor, a 
faithful friend, a sound and wise counsellor, and an exemplary 
christian gentleman. He was charitable to the poor, and fore- 
most in all benevolent and christian enterprises. By his death 
his immediate neighborhood will lose the inspiration of his 
public spirit, his interesting, highly respectable and intellectual 
family his kind words of wisdom and advice, and the rich 
gifts of his social nature."' — j. s. v. 



The Old and New Monongahela. 285 

Socrates died like a hero, but friend Hazzard like a Chris- 
tian. In the full consciousness of his condition, with his char- 
acteristic coolness, he declared "This is the end," and passed 
away, "like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, 
and lies down to pleasant dreams." 

Dr. Wilson Dead. 

Dr. William Lowrie Sparks Wilson, agent for the Pennsyl- 
vania railroad at Monongahela City, superintendent of the tele- 
graph office and agent for Adams Express Company, died at 
his residence, Third ward, Monday morning, September 6, 
1886, at 10:30. 

Dr. Wilson was born at Merrittstown, Pa., June 26, 1834. 
He read medicine with his uncle, Dr. Wilson, an old practi- 
tioner then located at Beallsville, and entered on the practice 
of his profession at Youngstown, Ohio, removing after a year 
to East Liverpool, Ohio. He engaged there also in the drug 
'business, but came to Monongahela City in 1859, where he 
opened a drug store and soon became widely known as a pop- 
ular pharmacist. 

He was married to Miss Allicia Mitchell, at Beallsville, 
December 27, 1853, by Rev. Hiram Winnett, and was blessed 
by twelve children, James Allen, George Reed, William Park, 
A. C. Sampson, Mai-y, John Robert, Ida King, Dora Bell, 
Emma, Nellie, Frank and Wannita. 

The doctor was made superintendent of the first telegraph 
built to this place, and in 1863 sent over the wire the first 
message from O. C. House, now dead. AVhen the P., Y. & C. 
railroad was finished to make connections here in 1873 the 
doctor was made its agent, and sold the first ticket to Major 
P. A. Foster, now in Florida. 

He was a notary public, and served four terms, declining 
reappointment. He served several terms as school director, 
two terms as burgess and served in the council of the old bor- 
ougli. He was connected with the Presbyterian church, and was 
two years superintendent of its Sabbath school. His death was 



^86 The Old and New Monongahela. 

the result of degeneration of the kidneys, which had crept upon 
him slowly for nearly a year. He died suddenly while sitting 
on the porch at his residence, having walked out there a few 
minutes before to " get air and be quiet,'' as he expressed it. 
He had taken an early Sunday morning walk to the station the 
day before. 

Dr. Wilson was a man of kindly, cheerful manner. He had 
a flow of good humor. The best portion of his life was made 
up of those little nameless acts of kindness which every person 
* whom he met will now recall. A cheerful salute sprang to his 
lips when he met you, and in his cordial greeting there was 
honest warmth. Monongahela City had few men more re- 
spected, more loved, more useful; none more obliging, and no 
one will be more universally missed. Rest in peace, good 
doctor — 

Your friends will feel the woe, 

Your's be the touch of joy. 

Dr. R. F. Biddle. 

Dr. Robert F. Biddle, a well-known educated physician hailing 
from Washington, Fa., where he obtained a collegiate educa- 
tion and where he studied medicine under Dr. Stevens, com- 
menced practice in Monongahela City. He was a man fully six 
feet high, of rather heavy build, slow in motion when taking 
a walk or mounted on horseback he leaned forward. He 
appeared mostly to be absorbed in thought, or deep study. 
Large eyes and a prominent forehead. He was a man of robust 
constitution, capable of great endurance, and of strong, vigor- 
ous intellectual qualities. He very soon obtained the largest 
practice of any physician ever known in the Monongahela Val- 
ley, which he maintained until liis health and physical strength 
gave way. His charges for medical services were notedly 
moderate, and it was said by persons who kiiew that he was so 
negligent in making entry of his visits to sick chambers that 
one-third or more of such visits were never charged at all. Nor 
was the waste of the doctor's hard earning confined to his very 



The Old and New Monongahela. 287 

low bills, or negligence of making entry, but, added to this, lie 
was wonderfully loath to make out bills against any parties who 
were ready and willing to pay such bills when rendered. One 
man who, it is said, was indebted to the doctor for medical 
service and who had demanded of him right along for three 
years his account without success, brought him for settlement 
before one of our old-time 'squires. On hearing day the doctor 
declared that he didn't owe the plaintiff one cent. "All right," 
said the plaintiff", "my object in bringing the suit against you is 
to put matters in such a shape that I will know how much I 
owe you.". The doctor's bill was at once rendered and pay- 
ment made, and both left the 'squire's office well pleased that 
things were no worse. 

The popularity of Doctor Biddle as a man and a physician 
became so great that he was kept on the go mostly day and 
night, for many years. One of the Doctor's two favorite 
horses called Ned had considerable sagacity — became so well 
acquainted with the roads and by-roads and lanes of the 
country for eight or ten miles round and many stopping places, 
knowing the Doctor's habits of occasionally taking a snooze in 
the late hours of night whilst astraddle of his back, was care- 
ful as to how he carried the Doctor when in such condition. 
One night at a late hour having alighted at a sick house on 
Mingo creek, after seeing his patient he remounted Ned and 
in a few moments afterwards fell asleep. The next stopping 
place, as the faithful horse well knew, would be at Valley Inn 
on the Pike, to which place the animal gently posted its way 
up a long hill and from the creek. In coming to the front of 
the residence where the sick lay, the sagacious horse made a 
halt without the pulling of the rein, and loudly neighed with 
its head towards the patient's house, as mueh as to say to the 
inmates, ' ' here we are, but the Boss you wish to see is en- 
joying a snooze upon my back." The weary Doctor was 
soon waked up and dismounted and the sick seen to. The 
Doctor was opposed to all kinds of display and pomposity. 

Plain in his dress, economical in his expenditures, a man of 



288 The Old and New Monongaliela. 

excellently well-balanced mind. Shrewd and quick in detect- 
ing the plots or connivances of designing men. He was 
strictly conscientious and honest in all his dealings. He took 
the grounds that every person should render a full considera- 
tion for the amount of bill charged — a man of sterling integrity, 
of mild temper and disposition. He would not jangle or quar- 
rel with persons disposed to be abusive, but would get away. 
A profound thinker, he wrote several sensible articles for the 
local press upon the transpiring matters of his day. 

Although no office seeker he took a deep interest in the 
affairs of the country. When he took the stump, as betimes 
he did in the most exciting political campaigns, his speeches 
were delivered with force and telling effect. He was a warm, 
reliable friend and good neighbor, fond of a cigar, also of hear- 
ing or telling of a joke having a good point, which, without 
fail, would extort from him a hearty laugh. He was a close 
observer of the sagacity and acuteness of some of the animals; 
was disposed to think that such of them thus acute were en- 
dowed with reasoning powers. Sometimes in the Doctor's 
leisure moments h^ would close his eyes and take a hearty 
laugh preparatory to relating a good one in regard to some 
funny occurrence which had come under his notice, which ho 
could always tell with such a grace as to bring a spontaneous 
burst of laughter from the whole company present. 

It was a matter of wonder to many why a man possessing 
such an excellent mind and good sense as Dr. Biddle would be 
so careless in keeping his accounts, and manifest so much dis- 
like to rendering bills for service. For some 35 years he 
practiced early and late through every part of this town, and 
over the hills and dales of the surrounding country for eight 
or ten miles distant, for which arduous labors he nor his intelli- 
gent widow has never been half paid. 

Worn out in the service of the people, he died May 12tli, 
1864, at his home in Monongahela City, and sweetly slumbers 
in the Monongahela cemetery, where a snug monument is 
erected to his memory. 

Moses Scott. 



• The Old and New Monongahela. 289 

Mrs. M. J. BiDDLE. 

Died, at her home on Fourth street, in Monongahela, Mon- 
day, July IT, 1893, Mrs. Mary Jane Cooper, relict of the late 
Dr. R. F. Biddle, to whom she was married in 1848. At her 
death she was "perhaps the oldest continuous resident of this 
city. She was born October 10, 1818, in this town, the daugh- 
ter of John and Charity Cooper. Cooper removed from 
West Newton in 1810. His wife's maiden name was Charity 
Sparks, daughter of Colonel Richard Sparks, who was a colonel 
in the United States army at the close of the revolution, and 
who owned in early days the well-known Garret Wall farm in 
Forward township, in Allegheny county, Pa., on which the 
mother of our deceased friend was born. 

John Cooper and Charity Sparks were married March 2, 1809, 
and Cooper died March 1, 1820, leaving a widow and four 
sons, Richard Sparks, Hezekiah D., John S. and Robert F., 
and one daughter, Mary Jane, the deceased. 

With the decease of Jane, John Cooper's children have all 
passed away. Mrs. Cooper, mother of Jane, married John 
Shouse, March 28, 1828, who died at the Yalley Inn, now 
Baidland, August 13, 1834, leaving one son, W. H. Shouse, 
now of Cincinnati, Ohio, and one daughter, Fannie C, wife of 
Rev. J. P. Fulton, of Harper, Kas. When the father of Mrs. 
Jane Biddle settled in this city, then called Williamsport, there 
were only four resident Presbyterians in the place, namely: 
John Lamb and wife, and James Gordon and wife, the arrival 
of John Cooper and wife making uj) the faithful eight who, 
witli James Hair and wife, formed the nucleus of that blessed 
church which has stood for a century gathering in the genera- 
tions of the past. In this church Jane was born and lived all 
of her years, doing service in untold w'ays and means to aid 
the cause of her Master. 

She was intellectually bright, which added much to her use- 
fulness as a member of the church and of society in general. 
Many of the older citizens will call to mind her success as a 
teacher in private and public schools. 



290 The Old and New Monongahela. • 

When the deceased joined the Presbyterian church the con- 
gregation worshipped in the brick church building on the hill, 
where now only can be seen the remains of the resting places 
of those who once made up the number who listened to the in- 
structions of the good old minister, Dr. Kalston, and the 
younger Chambers and Porter. Mrs. Biddle's associates in 
early church work have about all gone home. 

Her race was long, but she reached the goal and won the 
prize of eternal life, through Jesus Christ. 

Samuel Pollock Dead. 

Samuel Pollock, of Pollock's hill, an old resident of Union 
township, died Tuesday, July 18th, 1893, of heart failure, in 
his 77th year. Interment at Mingo. 

J. Sutton Wall. 

Mr. WalTs ancestry dates from an early period in the history 
of America ; he being a lineal descendant of Walter Wall, who 
emigrated from England to St. Christopher's Island (one of the 
British West Indies) in 1635. (Vide N. E. Geneological and 
Anticjuarian Kegister for 1860, p. 355). From thence he re- 
moved to Gravesend, Long Island, in 1640 ; and subsequently 
became an influential member of the so called English Colony, 
which the celebrated Lady Moody and her followers joined at 
that place in 1643. She having left Salem, Massachusetts, to 
escape the religious persecutions of the rulers at that place. 
Walter Wall owned considerable quantities of land in and 
about Gravesend,. (Tide Thompson's History of Long Island, 
Vol. II, p. 177, &c.) but owing to the unsettled condition of 
governmental affairs in that region, he, together with a number 
of intimate friends and their families, removed to East Jersey 
(now New Jersey) in 1657, where they purchased lands from 
the Indians, and made a more permanent settlement. He pur- 
chased a large tract of land in the neighborhood of Middle- 
town, where he resided during the remaining portion of his 
life. This is where his grandson, General Garret D. Wall, 



The Old and Nev) Monongahela. 291 

\ was born, _ who subsequently took a prominent part in the pub- 
lic affairs of New Jersey, and was one of its representatives 
in the United States Senate for a number of years. (Vide 
Whitehead's History of Eminent Jerseymen. ) The family 
remained together in this region during the succeeding hundred 
years, and mainly throughout the Colonial troubles that led to, 
and included the separation from the mother country. The 
Wall family were zealous supporters of the Revolutionary 
cause, giving their services and lives freely in the behalf of the 
new country, as many of them more recently have done. 

James Wall (great grandfather of the subject of this sketch), 
together with his brother Walter, in 1766, emigrated from 
••Jersey '' to the "Forks of Yough, " as they then called it, 
afterwards known as the "Jersey Settlement," now comprised 
within the portion of the county of Allegheny lying between 
the Youghiogheny and Monongahela rivers, in Pennsylvania, 
where they settled and subsequently purchased large tracts of 
land from the state. James Wall took a leading part in the 
public affairs of the new settlement during his life. (Yide. 
Crumrine's History of Washington county and other local 
histories of the region). 

Garrett Wall (son of James and grandfather of J. Sutton 
Wall) married a daughter of Colonel Richard Sparks, of the 
United States army. He served in the war of 1812-13, as 
ijuartermaster of Colonel Ferree's regiment of volunteer in- 

. fantry in the campaign of the nortluvest, under General William 
Henry Harrison. 

Colonel Richard Sparks served as captain in Clark's battalion 
under Major General St. Clair, in 1791, and in 1792 was 

; appointed captain third United States infantry, and subsequent- 

« ly promoted to colonel of the second United States infantry. 

•' He was also engaged in the campaign of the northwest under 
(icneral Harrison, and remained in the army until the time of 
his death in 1815 (see Records of War Department), at Port 
(iibson, Mississippi. 

Colonel Richard Sparks had five children, all daughters, viz: 



292 The Old and New Monongahela. 

Mary, married to Garret Wall; Catherine, married to Richard 
McChire, of Clermont county, Ohio; Charity, married to John 
Cooper, he died and she afterward married John Shonse; Eliza- 
beth, married to Braezeale; and Elenor, who married 

John Printy, of Clermont comity, Ohio. 

Captain Brisben Wall, late deceased, (son of Garret and 
father of J. Sutton Wall) a civil engineer by profession, and 
widely known for his ability in that profession throughout 
south-western Pennsylvania, entered the Union service, in the 
war of the late Rebellion, as First Lieutenant in Company D, 
79th Regiment P. V., September 21st, 1861, and served under 
General James S. Negley, in the Army of the Tennessee, until 
disabled for further duty during the following year. 

Major William Wall, (brother of Captain Brisben Wall) 
graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1832, commis- 
sioned Second Lieutenant Third U. S. Artillery, and subse- 
quently Captain and Assistant Quartermaster. He served in 
the campaign against the Seminole Indians in Florida, and con- 
tinued in the army until the time of his death at Pueblo, 
August 13, 181:7, while engaged in the w^ar with Mexico. 

J. Sutton Wall (son of Captain Brisben Wall) was born 
March 21, 1849, at the old "homestead,"' in the "Jersey Set- 
tlement."' He received early training in mathematics and the 
natural sciences under the tutelage of his father, and in the 
public ajid private schools of that region. His rapid progress 
in these studies enabled him to commence the practice of civil 
engineering at the early age of eighteen, and he has continued 
in the active practice of the various branches of that profession 
to the present time. He was elected city engineer of Monon- 
gahela City in 1871, and held that office almost continuously 
from that time to June, 1887, when he resigned to accept the 
office of chief draftsman in the Department of Internal Affairs 
of Pennsylvania, under the administration of Colonel Thomas 
J. Stewart, which he still retains. 

He served as a mining engineer on the board of examiners 
for the bituminous coal regions of Pennsylvania, under the 



The Old and New Monouyahela. 293 

administrations of Governors Hartranft and Hoyt, from 1877 to 
1885, and was reappointed to the same office by Governor 
Beaver. 

He was appointed in 1881 to make a special survey and re- 
port on the coal mines and mining operations of the Monon- 
galiela Valley and the Pittsburgh coal regions, under the 
auspices of the Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania? 
which work has been published as Volume K 4, of the reports 
of that survey. 

He has been engaged on numerous other public and private 
surveys where considerable professional skill and knowledge 
were essential to a proper execution of the work. 

One Hundred Years. 

Mrs. Nancy Quinby Larwill celebrated her 100th birthday 
at lier home in Wooster, Ohio, May 9th, 1893. She 
was born in Fallowfield township, or what may now 
be Carroll, Washington county. Pa., three miles from 
Parkison's Ferry, which she tells me is as familiar to her 
as Wooster. Her father, Ephraim Quinby, Jr., married Miss 
Ammie Blackamore, in Brownsville, Pa., and three children 
were born when he founded the colony in Warren, Ohio. 
Their names were Kancy, Samuel and William. The latter 
lias often been hoard to say that his mother rode on horseback 
behind him when he came to Ohio. As he was a babe six 
months old, it is altogether probable he was right. Samuel 
and William are deceased, as are Elizabeth Heaton, Arabrilla 
Potter, Mary Girling Spelman, Charles, James and Ephraim 
III. Warren and George Quinby live at Wooster — Warren at 
the age of 85 and George at 78. The family are and ever have 
been singularly and happily united, and maintain the fondest 
affection for each other. Ephraim Quinby\s fathei-, Ephraim, 
never emigrated. Ephraim, Jr., came west with his uncle, 
Joseph Hall, and family while a lad. His brother, Samuel 
Quinby, lived at the Horse Shoe Bend, on the farm now owned 

31 



•294 The Old and New Moiiongahela. 

by James Sampson, and did not leave Washington county until 
some years after Ephraim, Jr., formed his settlement of twenty 
families at Warren, Ohio, in 1799, nearly all former residents 
of Washington county, Pa. Joseph H. Larwill, a surveyor, was 
employed by Col. Beaver to draught plans and survey his 
lands. Beaver was the starting point of emigration either by 
land or water. My father remembers no sugar, tea, coffee or 
calico could be had on the western reserve nearer than Beaver, 
and the produce was there exchanged for these then, as now, 
necessaries of life. 

May 22nd, 1817, Joseph H. Larwill and Nancy Quinby 
were married at her father's, in Warren, by Rev. Adamson 
Bentley. The home overlooks the town, on the banks of 
Mahoning river, and is known as Quinby hill — a beautiful 
place — now occupied by George B. Quinby, grandson of 
Ephraim, Jr. The wedding party went to Wooster on horse- 
back, and on July 4th, 1817, Mrs. Larwill cooked her first 
dinner in a house which stood where now stands the Frick 
Memorial Block. 

Early in life Mrs. Larwill united with the Baptist church of 
Warren, and has been a member of the Bethany Baptist Congre- 
gation of Wooster since it was organized, and the Quinby 
family in Warren has always been among the staunch sup- 
porters of the Baptist faith. Samuel Quinby, Sarah Quinby 
Reeves, and Mr. and Mrs. James Campbell, were the only 
remaining members to charter a new church when Adamson 
Bentley and his whole church membership were converted to 
Disciple belief by the eloquent evangelistic sermons of Alex- 
ander Campbell, in 1832. It was then the Quinby element 
held to the Baptist faith, and began anew to build the present 
outlook for Baptists in Warren. 

Descended from Quaker stock, born and reared on the neutral 
grounds (»f the revolutionary days, faith in God, and great 
goodness of heart, had secured to them the confidence and love 
of their fellow men. 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 295 

Joseph H. Larwill honored his employer, Mr. Beaver, by 
naming the streets in Wooster, Beaver, Henry for the son, 
Martilla for the daughter, and Larwill street for his own family, 
where he resided the greater part of his life, dying November 
20th, 1867. ISTo children blessed the union, but nieces and 
nephews call them blessed. One, Mrs. Nannie Laubach, of 
Pittsburgh, was presented by her centenarian aunt with the 
gold watch and chain she had carried, which had been pur- 
chased for her by Mr. Larwill in Philadelphia, in 1857. 

A hundred rosebuds arranged in an immense bowl, from her 
two brothers and the nieces and nephews, a hundred navel 
oranges, from a niece, Mrs. Estep, of San Francisco ; a book 
entitled " 100 Birthdays," from nieces in Washington, D. C, 
and many evidences of love and affection were noticed. The 
room, which is in her own home, and where she has lived since 
her husband's death, to be near her brothers, was most hand- 
somely decorated with flowers in profusion from loving friends. 
On waking in the morning she remarked, "If Mr. Larwill 
were living, we'd have a feast to-day ;" and though Mr. Lar- 
will looked down from his portrait, draped in flowers and ever- 
greens, there was a feast of reason and a flow of soul, for she 
was able to receive over a hundred friends, who each said a 
few congratulory sentences, to all of whom she replied fittingly 
and presented them with a card on which were printed these 
lines, arranged and suggested hy a deceased but loving niece, 
Lizzie Quinby Stiles : 

A hundred years, a hundred yoars, 

To walk the grand old earth, 
And see a nation rise and grow 

To greatness from its birtli. 

A hundred years, a hundred years, 

To drink the air and light ; 
But happy when the shadows fall 

To bid the world " good-night." 

A hundred years of tranquil life, 

And nearer God each day ; 
The years, like roses, when they die, 

In fragrance pass away. 



296 The Old and New Monongahela. 

That anj one could enjoy life at 100 years is evidence of 
care for youth and latter-day attendance most complete. Mrs. 
Kate Potter Petit, a niece, has guarded her the past seven 
years from every possible care, and Frederika Link has per- 
formed for thirty-eight years a loving' service in the Larwill 
household. Mrs. Larwill cannot be said to suffer from the 
weight of years. Her hearing has been defective, but time has 
not dimmed her sight or repressed for her the voice of friends. 
She sits up all day and observes everything about her, and in the 
funeral of her life-long friend. Rev. Dr. David Kammerer, which 
took place the same day, was heard to express sorrow and sym- 
pathy. She made inquiry for absent friends and sent messages 
of love to those who feared to weary her by coming. En route 
I made the acquaintance of Mrs. Parkison, of Beaver Falls, 
who informed me her husband is a descendant of Joseph Park- 
ison, and on telling Mrs. Larwill of the incident, she replied: 
' ' I was seven years old when my father moved to Warren ; I 
rode on horseback, and had often in his company been to Park- 
ison's Ferry, where Mr. Parkison had his three mills, and 
was entertained by Mrs. Parkison while the grist was being 
ground.'' She particularly remembers the flowers and fruit, 
and was impressed that the surroundings were superior. 

Ephraim and Samuel Quinby were the only sons of Ephraim 
Quinby, Sr., and Elizabeth Hall Halliday, wdio emigrated to 
Washington county and are the progenitors of the name in this 
vicinity, excepting William H. Quinby, of Cleveland, who is 
descended from Moses Quinby, a brother of Ephraim, Sr. , and 
William E. Quinby, president of the Detroit Free Press compa- 
ny, of Detroit, whose father emigrated to that city from Brewer, 
Me., in 1845, and can in all probability trace his lineage to 
previous Huguenot emigration. In connection with this sketch 
it is of interest to note that Mrs. Teresa Quinby Carver, of 
Sharon, Pa., is a daughter of Samuel Quinby, and for a num- 
ber of years made her home with her aunt, Mrs. Larwill, in 
Wooster. Her father, Samuel Quinby, was a soldier in the 



The Old and Neio Moiumgahela. 297 

revolutionary war and was honored by military obsequies Sep- 
tember 10, 1840. She is one of the exceptional daughters of 
the revolution, in that she is entitled to a pension, among but 
few others left in the Union, and enjoys length of days in the 
home of her youth amid pleasant associations. 

E. R. Beebe, 



BELLEVERNON. 



The territory embraced within the limits of the borough of 
Bellevernon was prior to the formation of Fayette county, in 
1783, a part of Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, Pa. 
Eostraver at that time was bounded by the Youghiogheny and 
Monongahela rivers, and a straight line from the mouth of Big 
Redstone, on the Monongahela, to a point on the Youghiogheny, 
opposite the mouth of Jacobs creek. When Fayette was 
formed the line was changed so as to run due east and west 
from Jacob's creek to the mouth of what is now known as 
Speer's run, on the Monongahela. This line was so changed 
by the Act of Assembly of April 15, 1863, as to run from the 
mouth of Speer's run to the middle of the stone bridge, thence 
in a straight line to the corner of the school house lot now 
owned by R. J. Linton, along the upper side of said lot to 
Long Alley, thence to the county line, and thence along said 
line east to to the Youghiogheny river. This line as it runs 
from the stone bridge is better defined by making the next 
point at the corner of State Road street and Short street and 
thence along said Short street to Long alley. At the first court 
held in Fayette county December, 1783, the county was di- 
vided into twelve (12) townships, one of which was named 
Washington, in honor of General Washington. The township 
of Washington originally embraced a part of Ferry and all of 
Jefferson township. The primitive settlers in the vicinity of 
what is now called Bellevernon first voted July 8, 1776, at 
Spark's Fort, near Burns' Ford, on the Youghiogheny. By 
the Act of March 3, 1790, Fayette county was divided into 
four election districts. The citizens of Washington township 
voted at Fort Burd, now Brownsville. After some time the 



300 The Old and Neiv Monongahela. 

place of holding the elections was removed to the Red Lion, 
kept by Thomas Patterson. When Jeli'erson township was 
formed in 1840, the election place was removed to Cookstown, 
by consent of the voters, without the usual process of law. 

The site on which the town of Bellevernon is built lies 
within 40 degrees 35 minutes north latitude and 3 degrees of 
longitude west of Washington, D. C — two hundred feet below 
Uniontown, seven hundred and sixty feet above the sea, one 
hundred and seventy-two feet above Lake Erie. In the Washing- 
ton, Pa., Reporter of July 12, 1812, was first advertised the 
8-ile of lots in Bellevernon, by Noah Speers, the proprietor of 
the ground, and founder of the town. According to this notice 
the lots were laid out 75 by 100 feet, and main streets 50 and 
cross streets 40 feet wide. There seems to have been no sales 
under this notice. Subsequently, for some cause, the size of 
the lots was reduced to 60 by 100 feet. The first sale was 
made by public outcry on the IStli day of April, 1814. A 
premium of $10 was offered for the first house erected, which 
prize was won by Thomas Ward, who built the house that until 
recently stood on the corner of Main and Second streets. Dur- 
ing 1890 this house was moved to the corner of Second and 
Solomon streets to give place to the stately building of Howard 
McClure, erected in the autumn of 1890. 

The next house erected was the Hornbeck tavern, which 
stood for many years on the corner of Main street and Cherry 
alley, which gave place to the large building erected by Amon 
Bronson and sold by him to J. S. Henry, Sr., and now, 1893, 
occupied by J. S. Henry, Jr., as a storeroom. 

The title to the land on which Noah Speers founded Belle- 
vernon was possessed by him through his father, Henry Speers 
the older, who obtained it by purchase from John Cockey 
Owens, to whom the state granted a patent bearing date of May 
17, 1791. The ground originally was thickly grown with sugar 
trees. That part of the ground between First street and Speer's 
Run was not in the original plot of the town. This tract in- 
cluded the ferry and was called "Summer House" in the 



The Old and Neio Monongaliela. 301 

patent granted Regina Spcers, widow of Henry Speers the 
older, and to Benjamin Frye, a son-in-law, both of whom were 
the executors of the estate of Henry Speers. The patent was 
dated June 1, 1784, and included the ferry and three acres of 
ground. This tract was conveyed to Noah Speers by Regina 
Speers, acting executrix of Henry Speers, by deed bearing 
date of January 16, 1797. Noah Speers, by will dated June 
2, 1832, conveyed it to Solomon Speers. Noah Speers be- 
tween 1816 and 1820 erected the brick house still standing, 
and now, 1893, occupied as a hotel and ticket office for the 
Bellevernon and & McKeesport Railroad Company. In the 
corner room of this house was kept the first store in the town, 
although David Furnier had a store below Speer's run as early 
as 1790. The late Uriah Ward often said "that the first 
money he ever earned was for hauling water and carrying brick 
for that house, at six cents per day and boarded himself.'' The 
oldest house in the town is the one on Main street below Fourth, 
owned and occupied so long by the late Mrs. Mary Corwin. 
It was the original house erected by Michael Springer, on the 
well known Springer farm in Rostraver township, Westmore- 
land county, and now" owned b}^ heirs of James Ward and the 
heirs of James H. Springer, deceased. It was removed to its 
site in the summer of 1815, and was from that date to the day 
of her death occupied by Mrs. Corwin. 

The first attempt to incorporate the town was made in 1850. 
On the petition of sundry citizens, Hon. J. D. Leet, a member 
of the House of Representatives from Washington county, read 
a bill in place March 19, 1850, to incorporate Bellevernon, in 
Fayette county, into a borough. It was reported favorably 
from the committee on corporations promptly, and passed 
through both houses and signed by Governor W. F. Johnson. 
The proposed borough was to be bounded and limited as fol- 
lows : Beginning at the mouth of Speer's Run, following the 
county line to the coal pit on the State road in front of the 
present dwelling owned by John Gray in North Bellevernon; 
thence in a direct line to Gould's Run; thence to the grave- 



302 The Old and Neio Monongahela. 

yard, including it; thence to the river, including the house of 
J. B. Gould; thence following the river to the place of begin- 
ning. The bill was bitterly opposed by Solomon Speers, 
through his brother-in-law, R. C. Walker, a member from 
Allegheny county, but now a major on the retired list in the 
United States army, residing in Helena, Mont. Mr. Leet suc- 
ceeded. 

By tradition more than otherwise, the county line was sup- 
posed in its course east to take in the mouth of the old coal pit 
in front of the lot now owned by John Gray on State street in 
North Bellevernon. After the building of the brick school 
house, which stood on the lot owned by R. J. Linton, on the 
corner of State and Short streets, it became a question to deter- 
mine the exact and true location of the county line. The primitive 
act of incorporation failed to go into operation. It was passed 
in what was called an "omnibus" bill, and in order for any 
one of the different acts to have effect of law the enrollment tax 
had to be paid on all the " omnibus " bill contained. Through 
neglect and indiiference on the part of the friends of the Belle- 
vernon act the tax was not paid, and at the next session that 
part of the "omnibus" bill was repealed, and Bellevernon 
remained a part of Washington township. 

The voters in the town becoming wearied at the inconven- 
ience of traveling to Cookstown, determined to have the privi- 
lege of casting their votes at home, petitioned the Legislature, 
during the session of 1854, to have created a new election 
district. Hon. W. Y, Roberts took charge of the bill, which 
he speedily had passed through both houses and approved by 
Governor Bigler April 13th, 1854. The new district was 
bounded as follows, viz: Beginning at the mouth of Speer's 
run, running the county line three-quarters of a mile, thence in 
a straight line to the dwelling house of Joseph Springer, in- 
cluding the same, thence to the upper coal way of Samuel 
Clark, thence by the river to the place of beginning. The Act 
named Adolph Eberhart as Judge, A. P. Frye and Thomas 
Taggart as Inspectors, to hold the first election, which was 



The Old and New Monongahela. 303 

held on the second Tuesday of October, 1854. Solomon 
Speers and John B. Gould were appointed Clerks. Gould's 
school house was fixed by the Act as the place for holding the 
elections. The prospective increase of the town and the build- 
ing of the new school house in 185T created a new interest in 
determining the exact locality of the dividing line between 
Westmoreland and Fayette counties, as it related to the town. 
To settle the question an Act of Assembly was obtained, ap- 
proved March 30th, 1860, creating a commission "to survey, 
ascertain and establish '" this line between Jacob's creek and 
Speer's run. The commission under this Act were E. F. 
Housman, of Westmoreland county, J. S. Yan Voorhis and H. 
F. Blythe, of Fayette. They appointed the late Samuel C. 
Griffith surveyor, and Alexander Wilson and Jacob B. Speers 
ax men. They run over the line three different times in order 
to have it correct beyond doubt. The true line was due east 
and west between the above named points. It was thus dis- 
covered that the line at Bellevernon end put the dwellings 
now occupied by Mrs. Jane Beazell, the dwellings owned now 
by L. J. Jeffries, Esq., part of the property of Henry Cougli- 
enour, and that owned by the heirs of William Jacobs, and 
school house lot now owned by R. J. Linton, into Westmore- 
land county. During the investigation of this line, Hon. 
David Kaine, now deceased, found in the prothonotary's office 
in Uniontown the original draught of the county line as run at 
the formation of the county. In running the first line it was 
commenced at Jacob's creek, and when the surveyor's corps 
arrived at the Monongahela river the terminus was 30 rods be- 
low the mouth of Speer's run, with ^ degree north of a due 
east and west line. In a foot note the surveyor remarked that 
if any one wants to know the true line it is a due east and west 
line, ^ degree above this line. As that was the only line sur- 
veyed, it was held by tradition to be the true line, and hence 
an error was continually being made until the commission of 
March 30th, 1860, fixed, by actual survey, the true location 
of the line which was sanctioned by the courts of both counties. 



304 The Old and New Mmiongahela. « 

The discovery of tlie true county line had more to do thau any- 
thing else toward the incorporation of the Borough by the Act 
of April 16th, 1863. 

The town of Bellevernon was formed into a borough 
with territory taken partly from Fayette and partly 
from Westmoreland counties. By this act the place of 
holding the elections was changed from Gould's school 
house to the public school house on the hill, within the 
borough limits. The voters in the remaining part of the old 
district were replaced into Washington township. The last 
election in the old district was held March 20, 1863, the elec- 
tion officers being: Judge, J. M. Springer; inspectors, O. D. 
Johnson and John Reeves. At this election James Corwin was 
elected judge and C. Amalong and Jacob Brendel inspectors. 
By the act of incorporation the officers elected last in the old 
district were authorized to hold the first election in the new 
borough. The act fixed May 16, 1863, as the time for the 
first election. The board consisted of James Corwin, judge; 
Jacob Brindel and S. W. Watson, inspectors. Mr. C. Amalong 
having failed to qualify, S. W. Watson was appointed in his 
place. This election perfected the organization. By an act of 
Assembly approved March 31, 1864, the borough was placed 
for all purposes under the jurisdictiom of Fayette county, and 
the proceedings of the burgess and town council were legalized. 
This act of Assembly was supposed to be necessary, owing to 
a difference of opinion in the construction of the act of incor- 
poration. By an act of the Legislature approved March 1, 
1866, the citizens of the borough were authorized to elect six 
councilmen — two for one year, two for two years and two for 
three years. During the session of 1868 the Legislature passed 
an act prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage 
within the borough. As far as we are advised, this was the last 
act relating to the borough, except the one giving power to the 
school board to issue bonds bearing interest not exceeding eight 
per cent. The churches, cemetery association, loan associa- 
tions and Odd Fellows' Hall association obtained their charters 



The Old and New Monongahela. 305 

through the courts. At the first election, held May 16, 1863, 
Amon Bronson was elected burgess; J. R. Powell, Bazil 
Brightwell, Wm. Sutton, Ed. Martin, James Corwin and Ed. 
Jordan, councilmen ; James French, John W. Wright, Robert 
Boyle, J. S. Van Yoorhis, N. Q. Speer and James Davidson, 
school directors ; auditors, Robert Boyle, J. M, Springer and 
O. D. Johnson; John Watson, Justice of the Peace; assessor, 
J. W. Lindsay. J. M. Springer, under a commission dated 
April 10th, 1860, for Washington township, served as first 
Justice of the Peace in the borough. He was elected in the 
borough in 1865, and at this time (1893) he is serving his 
eighth term of five years. 

The name of Speers has figured in the history of this town 
in a variety of transactions for over a century. Appearing at 
first from German descent the name remains among us to-day. 
Henry Speers, the older, settled about the year 1770 on what 
is now known as the Gibsonton farm, and to insure protection 
from the Indians he located his domicil near the fort, which 
stood just befow Gibsonton Mills of this day. A more exten- 
sive notice of the family will be given in another place in this 
work. He was not only a large landholder, but an extensive 
slaveholder. He was undoubtedly among the first business men 
on the river in this region. The Coopers and Fryes on the oppo- 
site side of the river began their settlements cotemporary with 
Speers, and in their after history formed important alliances. 
From what we can learn the ferry had its primitive existence 
just below the mouth of Maple creek, under the joint ownership 
of Speers and the older Cooper. The machinery of the ferry 
consisted in a primitive canoe dugout, somewhat after the fash- 
ion of an old timed horse trough. Horses had either to fowl 
the river when the water was low enough, or swim in higher 
stages of the river. The ferry now existing was established by 
Henry Speers the older, and the title vested subsequent to his 
death for that part of the ferry on the Belle Yernon side of the 
river, but the Washington county side was patented to his son, 
Hem-y Speers, January 12th, 1789, on a survey entered by 



306 The Old and New Monongahela. 

Henry Keef, May 23rd, 1769, and conveyed to Heiiry Speers 
by deed dated September 14th, ITS!. The ferry was carried 
on by means of the primitive canoe, and in progress of time 
the flat was invented, and its power to cross the river con- 
sisted in the broad- bhided oars and pike pole, so long used in 
after years to push the keel boat. The rope ferry is a modern 
invention. Of the earlier persons who plied the oar we have 
no information. 

Noah Speers, by will dated June 2, 1832, conveyed the 
Fayette side of the ferry to his son Solomon, who sold it to 
Louis M. Speers, the date thereof we do not know. At the 
death of Henry Speers, the younger, his son Apollos, came 
into possession of the Washington side of the ferry, and at his 
death his son Noah inherited it. The ferry is now working 
under a charter granted April 1, 1870, by the Legislature to 
Noah, L. M. Speers and W. F. Speers. At the assignee's sale 
in bankruptcy of L. M. and W. F. Speers, about 1880, Noah 
Speers became sole owner of the ferry, and is at this date 
(1893 ) its owner. At a very early date a man named Penny- 
well lived in a house where now stands the Presbyterian church. 
He carried on shoemaking, and his wife attended tlie ferry. In 
those days shoemaking was a laborious and not very profitable 
trade. He had to make his own wax, the thread, the pegs, and 
the polish was a compound of soot and white of an e^^. The 
paste was home-made and kept for use in an ox horn hung on 
a peg in the wall by means of a tow string. The shoes were 
generally made of what was then called upper leather, with 
calf-skin strings. The shoes intended to be worn with buckles 
and breeches were not often made by common shoemakers. 
The leather was furnished by those wanting shoes. Andrew 
Brice was another ferryman, and also a shoemaker. A man 
named Joseph Cloud was also a ferryman. He was jack of all 
trades, but seemed especially inclined to be a stone-mason and 
blacksmith. He built the huge chimney in the late Aunt Polly 
Corwin's house in 1815, which still stands as a monument to liis 
want of skill. Cloud lived and had his shop on the river bank 



The Old and New Monongahela. 307 

near the ferry. The land on which it stood has long since been 
washed away by the river. Four generations of ferrymen have 
plied the oar, and, excepting the rope, it remains the same as 
one hundred years ago. For a century this ferry was sought 
by the drovers in their route from West to East, and as ferry- 
men the names of Speers, Ward, Cooper, Wells, French, 
Husher, et id. omne getius, were household gods from the Mis- 
sissippi to the Delaware. The " Swan," built in 1845 at Fred- 
ericktown for Apollos Speers, by Charles Bowers, was the first 
horse-boat at this ferry. The idea of a horse-boat was sug- 
gested by the completion of dam No. 4 of the Slackwater. 
Charles Bowers was an uncle of Morgan Bowers, for many 
years a resident of Bellevernon. Capt. S. C. Speers recollects 
very well the fact of his going on horseback with his father, 
iVpollos Speers, to bring down the boat. The horses on which 
they rode were placed on the boat and worked it down to the 
Bellevernon landing, were it was greeted with applause by the 
citizens. Samuel St. Clair was the pilot on her trip down. 

The Belle Vernon horse boat was built by L. M. Speers at 
the boat yard then carried on at the mouth of Third street, 
Belle Yernon, in 1852 or 53. The mouse colored Davy and 
sorrel Barney long did duty on this boat, and won quite a rep- 
utation among the stockmen of the west. The horse boat gave 
way to the steam ferryboat, " Polly South,'' built at Belle 
\'ernon in 1858. This boat was run in charge of Captain 
James French as master, and his sons, Willie and Sylvester, as 
engineers. The boat becoming more or less unfit for duty and 
always an expense to the owner, gave way to the rope ferry. 
The engine is now doing duty for the Speer White Sand 
Company at the "Juniata works," Mapleton, on the Bennsyl- 
vania railroad, 159 miles east of rittsburgh. After the dis- 
mantling of the Folly South the engine also did service in 
digging the old oil well u]) Speers run. W. A. Coughenour, 
now a wealthy citizen of Idaho, was the engineer. The well 
was originally drilled to a depth of 250 feet by hand in the 
days of Noah Speers, the older, in search of salt water, which 



308 The Old and N'ew Monofigahela. 

in those days was a great desideratum. In the latter drilling, 
oil was the object, but at 1010 feet the effort was abandoned, 
having not found any oil, though plenty of salt water and some 
gas. Now (1893) this old well is found to be in the midst of 
a great gas field. 

The store given Solomon Speers by his father in the brick 
house was no doubt the first one within the limits of the town, 
but not in the vicinity. The first store in the "Forks '' was 
the one Col. Edward Cook brought with him from eastern 
Pennsylvania about 1768, and located it in his primitive cabin, 
near the present spring house of his great grandson, Joseph 
Cook, in Rehoboth Yalley. The next store was in the old log 
house which stood on the river bank where now is the saw and 
planing mill of the Jones'. This house and store, with the 
"barter" mill, of which we will speak hereafter, was con- 
veyed to David Furnier by Elliot &, Williams about the year 
1790. This was the first store about Bellevernon. Store- 
keepers then as now were often obliged to trust their neigh- 
bors for goods; but it was the rule in old times that if a bill 
was not paid at the promised time, the case was at once made 
known and the debtor was drummed out of the neighborhood 
as an unworthy citizen. The second store in Bellevernon 
was kept by William Reeves, whose wife was a daughter of 
Noah Speers. He pccupied at first the room in what is now 
known as the Sutton house, on Water street, and afterwards 
moved it to the corner of Water street and Cherry alley, long 
known as the Methodist church; it now stands in the rear of 
the former brick store of R. C. Schmertz & Co., on the corner 
of Cherry alley and Long alley. Barnes Reeves had a store in 
the house recently owned by Dr. I. C. Hazlett, corner of Main 
street and Cherry alley. Some time between 1835 and 1837, 
Barnes Reeves erected the brick building on the corner of Main 
and Second streets, now owned by L. Z. Birmingham, and 
occupied as a hotel and Brown's pharmacy. The late Thomas 
Taggart did the carpenter work. Into the corner room Barnes 
Reeves moved his store, and carried on business there until he 



The Old and Nevi MonongaJiela. 309 

sold out to his brother-in-law, Rev. John Strickler, who had 
married Rhoda, daughter of Manassah Reeves. Mr. Strickler 
sold to John S. Markle, now a resident of Monongahela City, 
but in what year we are not informed, it was, however, in the 
early forties. How long he did business on this corner we do 
not know; but when the writer, in May, 1847, settled in the 
town, the store room was vacant. On the building of the glass 
works, of which w^e have said more in another place, William 
Eberheart had a store in the house on the corner of Main 
street and Cherry alley, known then as the Hornbeck tavern, 
but the corner is now occupied by J. S. Henry, Jr., with a 
store. The tavern house was moved to the lot below, and is 
now (1893) owned and occupied by A. L. Brown, the druggist, 
as a residence. Some years afterwards Eberheart moved his 
store to the corner now owned by R. C. Schmertz & Co., and 
occupied as dwellings. 

Ford McKee in 1847 had a store in the basement of the house 
now OM'ned and occupied by Andrew Guiler, on the lower end 
of Main street. 

Boat building was an early element in the business and industry 
of the town. Solomon Speers and Morgan Gaskill were the lirst 
boat-builders. The original yard was in front of the present 
residence of Lario, on Water street. The wide-spreading elm 
which passed into the river during the flood of 1844, the stump 
of which can yet be seen, afforded shade for lookers-on in the 
yard. The yard was started a short time prior to 1830. The 
whip-saw and the old water mill across the creek, relics of which 
are still visible, furnished the sawing of this timber. The long 
timber was all sawed by the whip-saw\ The log was placed on 
a kind of a platform, and under the log one man worked the 
lower end of the saw^ and another did the same duty on the top. 
The whip-saw was ])eculiarly constructed, and would be a curi- 
osity nowadays. It had a handle at each end, with the one at 
the lower end moveable, so that it could be taken off at will. 
As far as we can ascertain, the first boat built was a kind of 
horse-boat for a party down the river. To launch the boat it 



310 The Old and Neir Monongahela. 

was necessary to haul it to the wharf at the ferry. Keelboats 
and steamboats were the product generally of this yard. The 
"Lancaster'' was the first steamboat hnll built at this yard. 
The hull was contracted for Captain James May, and was in- 
tended for the New Orleans trade. The liull was contracted 
for by Samuel Walker, of Elizabeth, who sub-let it to Speers & 
Gaskill. The late General Isaac Hammett, whose remains lay 
in the Bellevernon cemetery, drafted the boat on paper in 
Elizabeth and laid it down on the floor of the old stable which 
stood until recently on the rear of the lot of the residence of 
Lario, on Water street. It is said that keelboats had been 
built in this yard as early as 1822 by William Reeves. The 
date of the change of the boatyard to the mouth of Third street 
is contemporary with the building of the saw mill by Solomon 
Speers, which stood on the lot where the beautiful residence of 
L. Z. Birmingham is now located at the corner of Water and 
Third streets. The mill was burned on the morning of February 
29, 1880, together with nearly all the buildings on the square. 
In 1875 a disastrous fire had occurred on the same square, 
on Main street. Solomon Speers sold the mill to L. M. Speers; 
L. M. Speers sold it to Daniel Springer and Edward Jordan; 
Daniel Springer bought out Jordan and became its sole owner. 
At the death of Daniel Springer it was bought by his son 
Manoah at the administrator's sale. Manoah Springer sold it 
to O. D. Johnson, who took in W. J. Anderson as a partner in 
the business, but not in the ownership of the mill. 

In 1875 James M. Springer become sole owner and took in 
as a business partner, W. J. Anderson, forming the firm of 
Springer & Anderson. In 1878 the mill was sold to C. B. 
Wiley by the Assignee of Springer & Anderson. C. B.Wiley 
was the owner at the time of the fire. The date of the build- 
ing of this saw mill is well fixed by the fact that it occurred the 
fall of the year in what happened the wonderful falling of the 
stars and that event was in 1833. The late Daniel Springer 
did the carpenter work and Samuel Sisley the stonework. 
Robt. Patterson, lately deceased, called to mind the date 



The Old and NefiKj Monongahela. 311 

from the fact that Sislcy was doing the mason work and was 
almost fatally frightened at the " falling of the stars. ■" Cap- 
tain French, now deceased, a well-known citizen was engineer, 
sawyer, fireman, etc., for many years in the early history of 
this mill. He related a story in connection with this mill well 
worth recording. John Brunthoover, well-known in the town 
as John Bnnty, about to be arrested for debt, sought in haste 
the saw mill as a place of safety. The Captain took in the 
situation at once and kindly concealed him in the cistern. By 
and by either on purpose or thoughtlessly, he started the pump. 
When the water had gotten to about his neck, Bunty became 
alarmed at the prospect, and cried out in his usual emphatic 
tones, "Hallo, Jim; I'd rather go to jail than be drowned."'"' 

Among the boats built at thq Third Street Yard were the 
Ontario, Protector, Monongahela, Dolphin and Pittsburgh, to- 
gether with many others whose names we have not obtained. 
Among these were the Minstrel, which in April, 1842, fell from 
the blocks, killing Robert Winters, and very seriously injuring 
John Baldwin by fracturing his leg and breaking the jaws of 
John Corwin. Daniel and Joseph Springer, James Housman, 
Samuel Massey, and others were under the boat but escaped 
with but very slight injury. Speers & Gaskell suspended op- 
erations at this yard a short time prior to 184:7. About the 
year of 1851 or '52, L. M. Speers and Wm. Latta resumed 
active operations in the same yard, L. M. Speers having pur- 
chased the saw mill. Some very fine boats were built by 
this firm and among the last was the well-known tug Clip- 
per for S. Clark & Sou. During the years 1853-54, L. M. 
Speers erected the large saw mill below Speers Run and the 
firm in due time moved the boat-building to it. In 1857 or '58 
the firm was dissolved and the business was carried on by L. 
M. Speers alone, until the close of the war of the rebellion, 
when W. F. Speers became a partner, and thereafter the firm 
was L. M. & W. F. Speers. On the morning of October 7, 
1876, the mill was burned by fire. The saw mill was rebuilt 
in 1877, and the yard was carried on until the firm went into 



312 The Old and New Monongahela. 

bankruptcy' in November of the same vear. In the building 
of the first mill at this yard the late Daniel Springer was the 
contractor for the carpenter work and David Furnier for the 
mill-wright work. John Herbertson, of Brownsville, furnished 
the engine. Captain James French was the first sawyer after 
re-building of the mill. During the proceedings in bankruptcy 
Wm. Jones and and S. F. Jones obtained permission from the 
U. S. Court to forclose a mortgage, in pursuance of which the 
Sheriff of Westmoreland county sold the mill to William and 
S. F. Jones, February 7, 1880, and they sold it to the Belle- 
vernon Saw and Planing Mill Company, May 12, 1880, the 
firm being composed of Wm. Jones, S. F. Jones, Samuel Jones, 
and Isaac Shepler. The mill as now constructed has an ex- 
tensive planing apparatus connected with it. 

From a diary now in possession of Nelson Johnson, son of 
the late Levi Johnson, kept by David Furnier in 1790, we learn 
that the old Barter mills, which stood near the present resi- 
dence of Samuel McKain on Speers' run, were erected prior to 
1790, and was the first flouring mill about Belle vernon. It 
was conveyed before 1790 to David Furnier, together with the 
log house and store located on the bank of the river, where now 
is the boat-yard just below Speers' run. 

The well is there yet from which the early settlers drew, with 
sweep and moss-covered bucket, water to quench their thirst; 
and to make it more palatable the grog of the old-time still - 
house near by was mingled generally with it. This mill, in its 
crude state, having had its day, was torn down, and in 1803 
the well-known brick mill was built by David Furnier. This 
mill was situated not far from the north end of the present 
stone bridge near the mouth of Speers' run. The only known 
remnants of this mill are the bricks in the old house, called 
for over half a century "Gould's school house,'' at the 
upper end of Main street in Bellevernon. This mill was torn 
down in 1836. 

William Hornbake in his day attempted to start a carding 
machine in his building, corner of Main street and Cherry 



The Old and New Monongahela. 313 

alley, but failed. In the same building, in its back part, Apollos 
Speers, the cabinet-maker, in 1854 put an engine to drive his 
turning lathe; and in 1855, in this shop, occurred among the 
first fires ever in the town. 

William Walker was the first tailor in the town. He located 
in 1834 in the house known as the ferry house, on Water street 
and owned (1893). now by D. W. Owens, James Hagerty 
arrived in 1837, and set up in the tailor business in 1838, in 
the house recently owned (1890) by Alex. Brown, on Water 
above First street. He has been ever since that date a resident 
of the town — to his death — except for a short season when he 
lived on the opposite side of the river from the town. John 
Merrick, the tailor, in the same year Hagerty commenced busi- 
ness, settled in the town. John L. Dehn, now of Mansfield 
(1890), Ohio, carried on the tailoring business first in the Sut- 
ton and afterwards in the Wise house. He came to town in 
about 1859; but can not say in what year he removed to 
Mansfield, Ohio. J. B. Zeh was his successor, who, with 
Samuel Bedsworth and J. H. Treasure, constitute the tailor 
fraternity in town. A German named Blair built the house 
now owned by Andrew Guiler, on lower Main street, and in it 
carried on the tailoring business. And just before the war of 
the rebellion, William McWilliams, now deceased, had his 
residence and tailor shop in this same building. 

Father* Thomas Ward was the first cabinet maker; he at first 
had his shop near the present residence of William Kyle on 
Grant and State streets, in North Bellevernon, but removed 
in 1815 to the house he built on the corner of Main and Second 
streets, in town. He was also the first and only wheel-wright 
ever lived in the place. He died many years since in Ohio, 
whither he had gone to pass the remnant of his days among 
children who had generally preceded him. He was a very 
skillful mechanic, and had peculiar traits of character which 
many of the older citizens still relate to the amusement of the 
younger. Apollos Speers succeeded him as undertaker and 
cabinet maker on the corner of Cherry alley and Main street. 



314 The Old and New Monongahela. 

He was regarded as one of the most skillful mechanics in the 
valley. In 1848 he took in as partner Thomas Taggart. The 
firm carried on the business until Speers sold the house to 
Robert Patterson in the early fifties. Speers moved to Peoria, 
Illinois, where he was connected with a coffin manufactory, and 
where he died suddenly and was buried in a cofiin of his 
own making. 

James M. Springer first entered into the furniture business 
and undertaking in the summer of 1847. He purchased from 
Mrs. Nancy Reeves, his mother-in-law, the house and lot long 
afterwards known as the Hutton dwelling on Main street above 
Strawberry alley. In the same year he built the shop still 
standing between the residence and the M. E. church. Solo- 
mon Speers had sold this lot to Barnet Corwin, May 13, 1830, 
and he, in 1839, built the house. Barnet Corwin sold the same 
to Nancy Reeves November 4, 1845. Nancy Reeves sold it 
to J. M. Springer February, 1848. Springer sold it to John 
Hutton April 2, 1848, and purchased from Solomon Speers the 
lots just below Strawberry alley on Main street, and built a 
shop on the corner, lately the store-room occupied by Clarke 
Corwin. He also built the dwelling burned in 1880. The first 
cofiin made by Springer was for the father of A. J. Taylor, 
who built and lived for many years in the house now owned by 
Mrs. Isaac Hammett, on the corner of Wood and Third streets. 
The coffin was of the old style, made of black walnut and 
polished with beesw^ax. In 1872 Springer retired from the 
business, having sold out to F. M. Myers. Myers, May 20, 
1880, sold the business to Curtiss Reppert & Sons, who still 
carry on the business on the corner of Main and Third streets. 

Henry Speers, the older, was perhaps the first person who 
died in this vicinity. His death occurred in 1772, from the 
kick of a horse, and it is generally believed that his remains 
were interred in the Gibsonton graveyard on the original Speers 
farm just below Bellevernon. This (^Id graveyard is now in- 
corporated as a cemetery and is enclosed by a substantial fence. 
This was the first burial place in the neighborhood, the Reho- 
both's first interment being in 1790. 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 315 

The older Coopers were interred in the private grounds on 
the farm recently owned by Thomas Redd at the mouth of 
Maple creek, but now ( 1893) a part of the flourishing town of 
Charleroi. The older Fryes were buried on what is called 
Smith Frye's farm, being a part of the original Frye farm on 
the hill above Lock No. 4. 

The Fryes, Speers and Coopers were intimately coiuiected, 
both by marriage and association, in their early life, and at 
death their remains occupied the same burial grounds, the four 
graveyards being in sight, one from the other. The first burial 
ground intended for Bellevernon was on the well-known Gould 
hill, situated now in the village of " Seldom Seen." During 
Wylie's ownership of the land, permission for burial was granted 
and J. B. Gould, who succeeded Wylie, gave the same privi- 
lege. The remains of Louis Cisly were the first to be interred 
in this ground, but in what year we cannot ascertain. Then 
followed the burial of Casper Ebner, Joseph Billiter and his 
two sons, James and Lew-is. 

The next burial place was in the one which the old Free 
Will Baptist Church still stands on Wood Street near Flint 
Alley. Mrs William Hutchison, who lived in the house now 
owned by James Housman on the State road beyond La Grange 
School-house, was the first person buried in this grave-yard. 
She was buried in 1843. The increased population of the 
town and vicinity demanded better facilities for the burial of 
the dead. Hence the organization and incorporation of the 
Bellevernon Cemetery Association, Bellevernon, Pa,, 
November 1st, 1866, Denton Lynn, Noah Q. Speers, J. M. 
Springer; J. S. Yan Yoorhis, Daniel Springer and Bazil 
Brightwell purchased a lot of ground of James H. Springer for 
burial purposes and organized themselves into Bellevernon 
(Jemetery Association. The above named purchasers were 
elected managers, of whom Dr. J. S. Van Yoorhis was chosen 
President and James M. Springer, Secretary and Treasurer. 

A charter for said Association was granted by the Westmore- 
land County Court, May 13th, 1867. The first meeting of tlie 



316 The Old and Ntio Monongahela. 

lot holders under the charter was held September 2Tth, ]86T, 
and Denton Lynn, Noah Speers, J. S. Van Yoorhis, Bazil 
Brightwell, and Daniel Springer were elected managers. On 
the same day the managers met and elected J. S. Yan Voorhis, 
President, N. Q. Speers, Secretary and J. M. Springer, 
Treasurer. 

The first person buried in these grounds after its purchase 
was Abram Smock, who died in the house now occupied by his 
widow in Bellevernon, September 24, 1866. Prior to this 
date, however, the ground in a limited space had been known 
as the burial place of the Springer family. 

The slaves of the Speers family were buried on the point 
above the property now owned by James Carnes' heirs, a short 
distance above the mouth of Speers' run. Some of the older 
citizens used to speak of a few burials on the high ground not 
far from the public school house in North Bellevernon. 

In laying out the lots in Bellevernon, the space between 
Water street and the river was reserved by the original pro- 
prietor, no street but the state road reaching to the river, thus 
cutting off the town from all wharf privileges, even remaining 
in the ownership of the Speers' descendants to this day, either 
by inheritance or purchase. There is no doubt but the inten- 
tion originally was to have this river front set apart for wharf 
purposes, in the interest of the town. 

From the time of the establishment of the ferry its wharf 
was used as a landing for trade boats, keel boats and steam- 
boats until 1850 or thereabouts, when conflicting rights and 
privileges forced the boats to go to the glass factory, where 
Wm. Eberheart had landing rights, and to which for his own 
convenience, he gave free wharfage to all craft. Goods and 
produce shipped to and from all points on the river were re- 
ceived and taken from the ferry wharf by the early merchants 
and business men of the town. The keel boats of Captain Bob 
Ray — Caleb, Harvey, Creekbaum, Anger, Danks, etc., were 
objects of gi-eat interest to the populace along the river, and 
their arrival was watched for eagerly. Sometimes parties. 



Tlic Old and New Monongahela. 317 

especially military companies, were carried on these boats. A 
few of onr older citizens still call to mind one unfortunate 
excursion. A keel boat in charge of Captain Rogers, loaded 
with soldiers, enroute to attend a celebration of some kind in 
Pittsburgh, in 1826; in passing the town the swivel on deck 
was to be fired as a salute, and as the boat seemed to be mid- 
way of the town without the firing, the captain concluded he 
would go above to see what was the trouble; just as he raised 
his head above the deck, off went the cannon. Samuel Dough- 
erty, a colored man, well known in the community, having ex- 
citedly taken the job of putting off the gun from the regular 
gunner on duty for that purpose, shot away the back of the 
head of the captain, scattered blood, bones and flesh in all 
directions. His body was taken to the front parlor in the resi- 
dence of Solomon Speers, now the Holey house, where to-day 
can be seen traces of the blood on the floor. 

Aunt Polly Corwin, in the absence of a doctor, washed and 
dressed the dead man's wounds and had the remains in good 
condition for burial by the time the friends arrived from 
Brownsville overland with the hearse and carriages. 

Steamers Louis McLane and Consul, the former commanded 
by Captain Adam Jacobs and the latter by Captain Samuel 
Clarke, were among the first to land at the ferry wharf. The 
Baltic and Atlantic for a time also landed here, but shortly 
after going to the glass-factory wharf, they gave place in 1852 
to the Jefferson and Luzerne. After the removal of the boat 
yard over Speers' run in 1853 the, steamboat landing was 
changed to the mouth of Third street, where it remained until 
the new wharf was graded at the mouth of Second street in 
1857. The new wharf was the work of L. M. Speer, who prior 
to that date had purchased the 'space outside of Water street 
fi'om Solomon Speers, who had obtained it by will from his 
father, Noah Speers. The wharf in a short time became an 
affair of profit. For some years there had been growing dispo- 
sition on the part of the citizens and town council to obtain the 
wharf privileges. 



318 The Old and New Monongahela. 

To carry out the project a petition was presented to the Fay- 
ette County Court, June 23d, 1874, asking for a jury to ap- 
praise the value of said privileges. The Court appointed 
James French, W. H. Jones, S. F. Jones, Henry C. Cough- 
enour, J. T. Holey, James Corwin and John Hixenbaugh as 
the jury of good and true men, who placed such a value on the 
privilege as to render it impracticable to take any further action. 
During the proceeding in bankruptcy of L. M. & AV. F. Speers, 
the wharf rights were sold to J. W. Carothers, of West Virgi- 
nia, who sold it to Noah Speers; with the exception of the made 
wharf at Second street there scarcely remains any space of 
that ground reserved in the original plot of the town, it all be- 
ing washed away by the encroachments of high water. The 
two lots now owned by the heirs of George Lang only run to low 
water mark and this wise idea gives the heirs full right to use 
the river shore as a landing for 120 feet. The wharf-boat for 
the use of the packets is moved to the front of these lots. 

At this date 1893, Water street only extends north to First 
street, between First street and Speers' run there never has 
been any street opened, the ground now being principally oc- 
cupied by the railroad. At the ferry wharf and along the 
river shore quite a number of persons have been drowned, 
even within the recollection of citizens now living. 

Isaac Boles, who lived on Water street just above Strawberry 
alley long ago, was drowned on his return from a corn husking 
over the river at Henry Speers' farm. In company of others 
he attended the husking, but having imbibed a little too freely 
of spirits, which was so generally used at that time, he tarried 
behind his companions. On arriving at the river he found by 
the absence of the skiff that they had gone over. He took off 
his clothes and shoes, and in attempting to swim across was 
drowned in front of his home. The finding of his clothes told 
the story. The discovery of a skeleton buried in the river bank 
opposite the glass works induced the belief that some one had 
been drowned before Boles. In 1856 or 1857 a little daughter 
of Peter Corwin was drowned at the ferry wharf. She was 



The Old and New Monongahela. 319 

attending the school of Miss Tower, who taught in the store 
room of now the Roley house. In about 1862 John Speers, of 
Dunbar; Harvey Bryner, of this town, and Josiah Van Voor- 
his, of Washington county, in attempting to cross the river in 
tlie night in a small flat, at the ferry were thrown out by its 
upsetting, and although only a few feet from the shore Van 
Voorhis was drowned. The other two in some way reached 
the shore, although neither of them could swim. Speers and 
Bryner have since died. Whilst playing at the same wharf 
August 25, 1881, little Fannie, daughter of M. H. Arters, was 
drowned. Her body was recovered by Thomas W. Dean. In 
1877, Van, son of the late Samuel Hammett, was drowned 
from a raft of logs above Third street. His body was recov- 
ered by John Raum. In 1880 a stranger, a laborer on the 
railroad, was drowned just above Speers"" landing, opposite 
town. 

In the fall of 1883 Resin Fox was drowned at the ferry 
wharf by jumping from the flat as it was about to go down with 
a load of cattle. His body was recovered by Curtis Reppert. 
This was the first person ever drowned who worked about the 
ferry. On the 9th of November, 1876, Capt. O. D. Johnson 
was drowned ofl" the steamer Athletic, near Gibsonton wharf. 
His body was recovered the next day by Capt. W. W. Wil- 
liams. In 1885 a son of Henry King was drowned at Third 
street wharf by going through the ice. In 1846 a boy named 
Dunlevy, a nephew of the late Andrew Duulevy, was drowned 
at Lock No. 4. He was learning the tailor trade with James 
Hagerty, of Bellevernon. Hagerty, Dr. Johnson, Dunlevy 
and some others were fishing. Dunlevy had gone above for 
some purpose and the i-emaining party was apprised of some- 
thing being wrong by the empty skifi floating over the dam. 
After a search of many hours his body was recovered. Just 
above this dam and a short distance below the Rostraver coal 
works a child of John Foulkes was drowned not long since. 
A stranger from Pittsburgh was drowned a few years since in 
front of the present town of Charleroi. The venerable Joseph 



320 Tlie Old and JSew Monongaliela. 

Crow committed suicide by drowning just above Maple creek, 
many years ago. A little child of James Huttenliour, of 
Bellevernon, was drowned some twenty-seven years ago near 
the present residence of Wm. Spharr, and not far from the 
Gibsonton wharf a man was drowned from one of the packets, 
some twenty years ago. His body was recovered by James 
Cams. 

Long ago in keelboat times a Captain of one of these crafts 
was drowned near the glass works and near the same place in 
after years an intoxicated man fell into the river from one of 
the keelboats and though the water was very shoal he drowned, 
having fallen face downward and was unable to extricate him- 
self. In April 1866, Thomas W. Dean discovered the body of 
James H. Housman floating in the river just above the glass 
works cinder pile. He was a citizen of Fayette City, was 
killed by one Thairwell, who was hanged for the crime. A 
stranger and Joseph Archibald were drowned about the 
same year near Tremont Coal Works, over twenty years 
ago. In later years, Mary, daughter of David Davis, and her 
little child were drowned just above town by the upsetting of 
a- skiff, in which were also her father and mother, the latter 
two reaching the shore in safety. 

A man named House was drowned in June, 1845, at the 
mouth of Maple Creek, by getting entangled in a fish seine. He 
lived in a log house that stood above the old Peter W. Shepler 
farm, now owned by heirs of Esquire Swabb. July l:th, 1868, 
a Mr. O'Neal was drowned by falling in the river whilst push- 
ing a flat through Lock No. 4. A little son of George Tabrou 
was drowned June 29th, 1885, by falling from a board raft 
above the glass works. Many years ago the oldest child of 
William Reeves — a little girl — was drowned in a vat in the tan 
yard, now property of the heirs of George Lang, deceased. 



The Old and New Monona ahela. 321 

THE PRESBYTEKIAN CHUKCH. 

The Presbyterian church had its first introduction into the 
'•Forks of Yough'- on the arrival of Rev. James Finley from 
the east in 1765, although he did not permanently reside in his 
new home until 1783. The result of his initiative labors was 
the organization of Round Hill and Rehoboth churches, in the 
year 1778. He died January 6th, 1795, when the site on 
which Bellevernon now is situated was an unbroken forest. We 
have no data on which to base any belief that he ever 
preached to the pioneers on the river. About sixty years ago 
Rehoboth congregation appointed elders Michael Finley 
and William Bigham to visit the village of Bellevernoti and 
inquire into the expediency and propriety of erecting a church 
building, so as to have a point for stated preaching. After 
looking over the matter fully the committee reported against 
the enterprise, but recommended occasional preaching at private 
houses in the town and neighborhood. Rev. Robert Johnson, 
pastor of Rehoboth, preached at long intervals in the house of 
Abner Reeves, whose wife was a member of his church. The 
house stood almost on the space now occupied by the new resi- 
dence of Leonard Luce in Rostraver township, about one mile 
and a half from town. Rev. N. H. Gillette, who succeeded 
Rev, Johnson as pastor in 183'!, preached frequently in the old 
Methodist church on corner of Water street and Cherry 
alley, now used as a . dwelling on the corner of Cherry and 
Long alleys. 

Rev. J. R. Hughes and his successor. Rev. L. Y. Graham, 
as pastors of Rehoboth, oftentimes held services in the frame 
Methodist Episcopal church building on Water street, above 
Strawberry alley; it is now owned and occupied by tbe Disci- 
ples. In the summer of 1868, John B. Cook, E. F. Housman 
and L. M. Speer were appointed by Rehoboth to go on the 
ground and inquire into the propriety of erecting a house of 
worship in Bellevernon. The committee considered the matter 
with favor, but the effort only resulted in the renting of the 



322 The Old and Ne%n Monongahela. 

old Methodist building, and for a time services were held in it. 
Among the Presbyterian ministers who preached in this old 
church at different times in its history were Dr. Gillette, Dr. 
N. West, Dr. Brownson, Dr. Sloan, Dr. Allison, Dr. JVPLaren, 
Revs. J. R. Hughes, L. Y. Graham, J. H. Stevenson, James 
P. Fulton, and others whose names we cannot recall. The 
venerable Dr. David McConnaughy, president of Washington 
College, preached one sermon in 1848 in the old church corner 
of Water street and Cherry alley. 

In July, 1869, the members of the Presbyterian church in 
Bellevernon and vicinity determined to have a church building. 
Dr. J. S. Yan Yoorhis undertook to raise the money, and how 
he succeeded the sequel told the fact of a neat little church 
complete and paid for. A lot on the corner of First and Main 
streets, 60x50 feet, was presented by L. M. Speer, After re- 
ceiving bids for the construction of the building, the contract 
was awarded L. M. Speer for $>2,000, and at his own ex- 
pense he added to the edifice the spire and weather-vane com- 
plete. Dr, t). S. Yan Yoorhis, as chairman of the building 
committee, superintended the work. The foundation excava- 
tion for the stonework was commenced on the 7th day of Au- 
gust, 1869, and the whole building was completed and furnished 
before the 19th day of December of the same year, on which 
day it was dedicated free of debt. The masonwork was done 
by Thomas Hagerty and brothers, and the carpenter work under 
the contractor by J. E. Powell, of California, and Sansom B. 
Miller, Bellevernon. The glass for the windows was presented 
by R. C. Schmertz & Co., of their own manufacture. 

The painting was the work of John Hatfield, of Brownsville, 
now of Columbus, Ohio. The funds for the furnishing of the 
church were raised by Mary Speer, Lizzie Yan Yoorhis, Mrs. 
Margaret Kyle and Mattie Miller, amounting in all to $297.70. 
The ladies had remaining on hand after buying all needed fur- 
niture ii?6.44r, which they transferred to the building fund. 

The bell and furnace were purchased with the building funds. 
A. Fulton & Son sold to the committee the bell ; it was 



The Old and Neto Monongahela. 323 

moulded for a church in Williamsport, Md., which accounts 
for the name on it. The clock was presented by Mrs. Wm. 
Scott. The Bible and hymn-book by Mrs. Eliza Hair, wife of 
Rev. G. M. Hair, of McKeesport, but shortly afterwards pas- 
tor o+' Rehoboth. 

This church building was constructed by the voluntary act of 
the members of the Presbyterian church in Bellevernon and vi- 
cinity, independent of any organization. It was intended for a 
place of worship as preaching might be given by Rehobo'th 
congregation, which had been and was proposed to continue 
the custom of services one Sabbath afternoon out of three. 
Rev. L. Y. Graham was now pastor. The 19th day of Dec- 
ember, 1869, was appointed for the dedication of the new 
church, and Rev. Graham invited Rev. G. M. Hair to aid in 
the service. That Sabbath day at the hour of 11 o'clock, A. 
M. found the house crowded. The invocation and dedicatory 
prayer was pronounced by the Rev. L. Y. Graham and the 
sermon by Rev. G. M. Hair. Miss Lizzie Van Yoorhis had 
formed a choir consisting of Misses Kate Barkman, Olivia 
Barkman, Mirtilda Brown, Galena Bunting, Josie Sills, and 
Messrs. A. S. Woodrow, L. H. Reeves, W. A. Coughanour, 
and others perhaps, whose names we cannot recall, over which 
she presided as organist. The organ was loaned by Mrs. L. 
M. Speer until a new one could be purchased. Under arrange- 
ment Rev. Graham preached each alternate Sabbath afternoon, 
until Septembar 24th, 1871, when he preached his last sermon 
in the Bellevernon church, having resigned the pastorate of 
Rehoboth. Under his ministry a large number of persons in 
the town and vicinity united with the church. Candidates for 
Rehoboth now occasionally preached as circumstances would 
arise. Rev. G. M. Hair having accepted a call to Rehoboth 
entered upon his duties as pastor September 1st, 1872, and on 
the 8th of the same month preached in Bellevernon church for 
the first time since he became pastor, and continued to j)reacli 
at stated intervals during his pastorate. 

August, 1872, Rev. L. Y. Graham, formerly pastor, preached 



324 The Old and New Mononyahela. 

to a crowded house. He baptized Bettie P. Cunningham, 
daughter of J. C. and Lizzie Yan Voorhis Cunningham. This 
was the first child ever baptized in the church. Among the 
ministers, besides the pastors, who preached in this church 
during its connection with Rehoboth, we call to mind Eevs. 
Wm. Wilson, Wood, of the Cumberland church, Robert H. 
Fulton, Eben Caldwell, J. F. Bojd, W. G. Nevin, Mitchell, 
E. P. Lewis, Dickey, J. H. Flannigan, W. H. Gill, W. Camp- 
bell, W. V. Kean, Andrews, R. R. Gaily and Rev. Morton. 
The first funeral services in the church were those of little 
Noah Bright Abel, March 9, 1873. 

The continued prosperity of the church enterprise and the 
bright future predicted by some of the more enthusiastic, in- 
duced a determination to ask the proper authorities to organize 
a separate church in Bellevernon. Some of the older mem- 
bers were very unwilling to sever their connection with the 
mother church, but in the end yielded to the majority, with 
grave doubts as to the propriety of the change. 

For many years Wm. Hasson, the father of John C. Hasson, 
was the only member of the Presbyterian church residing in 
Bellevernon. In April, 1848, Dr. J. S. Van Yoorhis and 
wife were taken into the church at Rehoboth under the ministry 
of Rdv. N. H. Gillet. These three composed the Presbyterian 
family in the town for many years. The town and vicinity at 
the change was represented by about sixty members, which in- 
crease was the great reason for a separate organization. On 
Tuesday, December 2nd, 1873, the Presbytery of Redstone 
met in Bellevernon, being its first meeting in the town. At 
this meeting the question of the organization of a church in 
Bellevernon was presented, and after some little discussion a 
committee consisting of Rev. G. M. Hair, of Rehoboth, Rev. 
R. R. Gaily, of Redstone, and elder Alexander Rankin, of 
Rehoboth, was appointed to organize said church if the way 
be clear. This committee met on Thursday evening, December 
11th, 1873, and in due form constituted the First Presbyterian 
Church, of Bellevernon. Dr. I. C. Hazlett, R. J. Linton and 



The Old and Nev) Monongahela. 325 

S. F. Jones were elected elders. The two former were ordained 
and installed, Mr. Jones being only installed, as he had served 
as an elder in Rehoboth. The following persons were received 
by certificate from Rehoboth, viz: D. B. Johnson, Mrs. E. S. 
Van Yoorhis, James French, Dr. J. S. Van Yoorhis, Sarah 
Johnson, L. M. Speers, Fannie S. Speers, Celia G. Speers, S. 
F. Jones, S. E. Jones, R. J. Linton, Caroline S. Linton, 
Nancy Smock, Ellen McFall, Margaret Garrison, Harriet Pat- 
terson, Lizzie V. Cunningham, I. C. Hazlett, Samuel Clarke, 
Anna Clarke, Maria E. Hughes, Jennie French, W. F. Speers, 
Mary P. Speers. W. P. Mackey, Samuel McKain, S. McKain, 
Agnes McAlpin, Mary Smock, Elizabeth Lucas, Nancy Sheets, 
Maggie McFall, Jane Hopkins, Alvira M. Furnier, Mary E. 
Cook, Susan C. Wise, James McAlpin, John McAlpin, Jennie 
Jones, Sarah Barkman, Philip Smock, W. B. McAlpin, Olive 
Barkman, Lavinia Smock, W. McFall, Robert McFall and 
Charlotte Hammett. From other churches: W. F. Mor- 
gan and wife and Mary C. Alter; in all, fifty-one. Of this 
number, at this date, December, 1890, fourteen are deceased. 
Rev. G. M. Hair, of Rehoboth, continued to preach for the 
new church organization until June 1, ISTi, at which time he 
ceased to be pastor of Rehoboth. The Bellevernon church called 
Rev. A. B. Lowes, who was installed as the first pastor October 
28, 1874. He remained connected with the church until Sept. 
1, 1882. The present pastor ( 181)o ) Rev. Perrin Baker was 
called Jan. 10, 1883, and installed May 3, 1883. From the day 
he entered upon his duty Rev. Baker infused new life into the 
church, and through his ministry a large number have been 
iidded to the membership His wife died at the parsonage in 
North Bellevernon November 27, 1885. December 21, 1881, 
W. Y . Morgan was added to the session, and in April, 1886, 
Dr. I. C. Hazlett, one of the original elders, was dismissed at 
his own request to the church at Uniontown, to which place he 
had moved his residence. This congregation was chartered by 
the courts of Fayette county March 11, 1876. Of the two 
families who took the most active part in the erection of the 

23 



326 The Old and New Mouongahela. 

church building, not one at this time (1893) is a member. L. 
M. Speers has passed away, and his family removed to other 
parts. Dr. Van Yoorhis and family, at their own request, were 
dismissed to Rehoboth December, 1875. 

To L. M. Speers more than any one else the Presbyterians 
are indebted for this church building, and we trust his 
memory will ever occupy a green spot in the hearts of those 
who worship within its doors. 

THE CUNNINGHAM FAMILY. 

James Cunningham was born in Merrittstown, Fayette coun- 
ty. Pa., July 26, 1812, and died on his farm near that place 
April 5, 1888. 

In 1835 he married Rosanna Muir, who was born March 28, 
1811, and died September 8, 1885. During his early days 
James Cunningham taught school; then learned the blacksmith 
trade, and finally abandoned it and turned his attention to 
farming, in which occupation he was engaged until his death. 
He was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church near 
Merrittstown until 1880, when he withdrew to become a mem- 
ber of the Dunlaps Creek Presbyterian church, in which he was 
elected a ruling elder. He served his county prominently dur- 
ing his life, holding many offices, the last being commissioner 
for two terms. He had six children. Mary Jane, born Novem- 
ber 2, 1836, married Isaiah N. Craft. Of their two children, 
Harry Clyde was born March 7, 1862, and died September 28, 
1865. Ewing O. was born October 17, 1859, and married 
Emma Krepps October 17, 1883. They have two children, 
Clara Pauline, born April 19, 1887, and Edgar W., born July 
30, 1891. 

John C, oldest son of James Cunningham, was born Sep- 
tember 27, 1838 ; married March 30, 1871, M. Lizzie, daugh- 
ter of Dr. J. S. and E. S. Van Voorhis, of Bellevernon, Pa. 
She was born in Bellevernon, Pa., June 30, 1848, and died 
November 26, 1877. Their daughter, Bettie Plumer, was the 



The Old and New Monongahela. 327 

only child. Bettie Plumer was born January 24, 1872. She 
graduated from the Pennsylvania College for Women, Pitts- 
burgh, in June, 1891, and was married te David Stewart June 
22, 1893. John C. has been for nearly thirty years a prominent 
and successful merchant in Bellevernon. 

Alfred, son of James Cunningham, married Laura Springer, 
daughter of James M. Springer, of Bellevernon. They have 
three children, Clyde, Lillian and Mary. 

Martha Acklin, Sara Margaret and Anna Eliza, daughters of 
James Cunningham, are unmarried. The former resides in the 
family of I. N. Craft, and the others own and live on the home 
farm near Hopewell church. 

Thomas Cunningham the great-grandfather of James Cun- 
ningham, emigrated from Ireland before the war of the revo- 
lution. He settled in that part of Chester county which was 
included within the limits of Lancaster county on its formation 
in 1729. His son James, in whom we are especially interested 
in this sketch, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 
December, 1747. Before the outbreak of the Revolution, 
James Cunningham came from Lancaster county to what is now 
Washington county, where he toma-hawked a claim near the 
site of the present town of Washington. After building a house 
and doing a little clearing he returned to Lancaster to make 
ready for a return trip to his proposed new settlement. On 
his return in the fall of that year, he found his claim already 
occupied. He abandoned the idea of settlement in the 
western part of the state and bought a farm in Lancaster 
county where he remained until the war. He entered the ■t^T'S. 
Army in June, 1776, in Captain Calhoun's company which 
served under Colonel Clantz. In 1792 he joined his brother 
John in Fayette county. He built the stone house near Mer- 
rittstown, owned by Armstrong Porter, now deceased. 

James died in 1832, leaving two sons and two daughters, 
John and William, Jane and Isabel. Jane married William 
Gallagher and Isabel married David Porter. John boated on 
the Monongahela river for his father and uncle and died at an 



'■^28 The Old and Nev^ Mon<yiigaheJa. 

early age. William was born in 1783, and September 3, 1811, 
married Mary Gallagher, who was born July 3, 1788, and died 
October 23, 1822. 

In 1810 he opened a store in Merrittstown. He also built 
the house known as the Baird residence. His establishment 
was known as the " Centennial Store, " and as he had other 
business interests to look after he employed John Gallagher 
and Benjamin Barton as clerks. He also owned the grist mill 
property, to which he attached a fulling mill. He served as 
County Commissioner, U. S. District Marshall, and was an 
excise ofKcer for some years. In 1817 he moved to his farm 
near Merrittstown, on which he died June 2, 1819. He had 
four children, John, Arm, Eliza and James, whose history we 
have given in the beginning of this article. Eliza died un- 
married. Ann married James Work and died July 12, 1885. 
They had eight children. George, Belle, Clara and Sallie are 
dead ; Jane is unmarried ; Margaret, Martha and Alexander 
are married. John married Mary Muer. Of their six children 
William, Emma and Bobert are dead. Eliza never married. 
Jane and Elizabeth are married. 

John, the other son of Thomas Cunningham, of whom we 
have record, after enduring for many years hardships in the 
war, among them being captured by the enemy and carried on 
a prison ship to a distant fort, settled in Luzerne township, 
Fayette county. Pa., and carried on a successful business in 
that township until 1820. He died in the old stone house 
built by James Cunningham, in 1830, at the age of 87 years, 
remaining always a bachelor, and bearing wherever known the 
title of "Uncle John." He was a member of the Pennsylva- 
nia Legislature, with Albert Gallatin, from 1793 to 1805, and 
from 1805 to 1807, and declined to appear any more as a 
candidate. 



The Old and New Monongahela. 329 

Bellevernon Sabbath School. 

The first meeting for the purpose of establishing a Sabbath 
school in the First Presbyterian Church of Bellevernon, was 
held December 26th, 1869. The organization was completed 
by the election of Dr. J. S. Yan Voorhis, superintendent; N. 
Q. Speers, assistant superintendent; William A. Coughanour, 
secretary; W. P. Mackey, librarian and treasurer; Mrs. J. S, 
Van Voorhis, Mrs. L. M. Speers, Mrs. K. C. Byers, Misses 
Celia Speers, Lizzie Van Voorhis, Mary Speers, Angeline 
Hasson, Kate Barkman, Mary Bradman and Mattie Miller were 
elected teachers. Of the number Miss Lizzie Van Voorhis, 
married to J. C. Cunningham, is deceased, having died 
November 26th, 1877; and Miss Mary Bradman, the date of 
whose death we do not know ; and Mrs. Kate Barkman 
also. Messrs. R. J. Linton, Alexander Brown, N. 
Q. Speers, W. F. Speers and J. W. Morgan were elected 
teachers; and of these Mr. Linton alone is now (1893) 
connected with the school. January 9th, 1870, the school was 
in full operation, with 100 scholars present. January 16th the 
secretary reported 126 scholars in attendance, and says in his 
remarks: "Very good attendance of both scholars and teachers, 
but a lack of a number of teachers. There appears to be such 
an interest manifested by the citizens as will crown the school 
with success." January 23rd additional teachers were elected. 
March 20th, 1870, William A. Coughanour resigned the 
secretaryship, and W, C. Byers was elected in his place. Mr. 
Coughanour, in a day or two afterw^ards, left for his new^ home 
in Idaho. 

The necessity for a library was very apparent, and in order 
to obtain funds for the purpose, Alex. Brown, W. P. Mackey 
and W. A. Coughanour were, January 23, 1870, appointed a 
committee to solicit subscriptions and the result was the start 
made in the direction of books. April 17 a committee consist- 
ing of J. T. Shepler, Virgil Miller and W. C. B-yers with 
Misses Celia G. Speers, Kate Barkman and Lizzie Van Voor- 



3oU The Old and Neiv MonmigaheUi. 

his, was appointed to canvas for' funds to add to the library, 
who reported May 1st that 1190.00 had been raised. The 
committee was authorized to purchase more books which, with 
those already on hands, formed a good sized library ; and the 
fact is that at no time since the organization of this missionary 
Sabbath School had there been any difficulty in raising 
funds for its benefit. June 19th, the secretary reported 153 
scholars in attendance and not a teacher absent, with increas- 
ing interest in the school. The organ loaned by Mrs. L. M. 
Speers being returned to her on November 20th, the music was 
carried on without an instrument. — Miss Lizzie Van Voorhis 
by individual subscriptions and musical concerts determined to 
raise funds for a new organ. The friends of the school res- 
ponded nobly and the organ was purchased by her from C. C. 
Mellor, of Pittsburgh, at a cost of $290, of which she contri- 
buted |90. The new organ was used for the first time in the 
Sabbath School December 4, 1870, in the hymn "Sabbath j 
School Battle Song.'' 

The first year of the school closed December 25th, 1870, 
with flattering prospects. The greatest daily attendance of 
scholars during the year was 153, and the lowest 36. The 
average daily attendance was 100.46. January 1st, 1871, be- 
ing the day of election of oflicers, Dr. J. S. Yan Voorhis was 
elected superintendent; N. Q. Speers, assistant; W. P. Mac- 
key, librarian; A. L. Brown, secretary. April 2nd, 1871, 
Miss Olivia Barkman acted as assistant organist for the first 
time. In the progress of the school, James French, J. C. 
Cunningham, J. C. Hasson, H. Patterson, W. F. Morgan, 
L. Z. Birmingham, A. S. Woodrow, William Scott, and others 
whose names we can not recall, were added as teachers. At 
the beginning of this year prizes of a Bible were ottered to the 
scholars who should attend every day during the year. On 
January 28th, 1872, 32 Bibles were awarded to different 
scholars for attendance during the past year, the class of James 
French receiving the largest number. The year 1871 closed 
with an average daily attendance of 99.1; the greatest attend- 



The Old and New Monongahela. 331 

ance being 136, and the least 54. The superintendent pre- 
sented teacher French with a copy of Cruden's Concordance 
for the largest average class for the year. January 7th, 18T2, 
the old officers re-elected, excepting R. J. Linton was elected 
assistant superintendent. January 12th, 1873, old officers re- 
elected, excepting S. F. Jones was elected assistant superinten- 
dent. February 2nd, another addition to the library, which 
gave it a very interesting size, and the new books were of more 
than ordinary interest. The record of 1873 is not very full, 
and hence much of interest no doubt is lost. 

December 7, 1873, was the last day of this missionary Sab- 
bath school, which was organized January 2, 1870; it was on 
the 14:th taken under the general supervision of the First Pres- 
byterian church of Bellevernon and became a Presbyterian 
Sabbath school. Mr. S. F. Jones was elected superintendent, 
and continues as such to this day, 1893. The superintendent of 
the missionary school in his closing remarks December 7, 1873, 
said : ' ' May the Lord bless the infant church and infuse new 
life into the Sabbath school under the new organization, and 
may it indeed become the nursery of the church in which may 
grow up many precious souls for Christ." 

The history of those who were connected with the first or- 
ganization of this school is of interest no doubt to many of their 
friends. Mrs. L. M. Speers and her three boys are now living 
in Wooster, Ohio; Celia G. Speers married Rev. R. B. Porter, 
and is residing in the presbytery of Allegheny; Mary Speers 
married Rev. T. S. Parks, and lives in Illinois; Lizzie Van 
Voorhis married J. C. Cunningham, and died November 26, 
1877; Mary Bradman is deceased; Olivia Barkman married L. H. 
Reeves, and is a resident of Coal Center, Pa. ; Harriet Patterson 
married W. H. Noble, and resides in Pittsburgh, Pa. ; W. 
F. Speers, deceased in 1893, and his family reside in Pitts- 
burgh; N. Q. Speers and family at Benvenue, near Pittsburgh; 
Mattie Miller is residing in Missouri; Kate Barkman married 
L. R. Boyle, who died in 1890, and she died in 1893. Ange- 
liue Hasson is a resident of North Bellevernon; Mrs. R. C- 



o32 The Old and Nem Monongaliela. 

Byers is a citizen of Monongahela City; Virgil Miller died 
before his father's family left for the West, and his remains 
are buried at Rehoboth; Dr. W. C. Byers is practicing his pro- 
fession in Pittsbuigh; A. S. Woodrow is in Warren, Ohio. 

Methodist Episcoi'AL Chukoh of Bellevernon. 

The Methodist Episcopal was the pioneer church organiza- 
tion in Bellevernon, and to it we owe the largest share of our 
early religious character. We have no definite date fixing when 
or who preached the first sermon in the town, but it is known 
on reliable authority, that the Rev. J. G. Sansom did preach 
as early as 1830, in the house now owned by W. P. Mackey, 
on Main Street. In 1834: the village was taken into the Red- 
stone circuit which at that time extended from Elizabeth, in 
Allegheny, to Upper Middletown, in Fayette county. Rev. 
Robert Hopkins was the presiding elder and John H. Ebbert, 
Warner Long and Isaac Macabee were the ministers. On the 
6th day of October, 1834, Rev. J. H. Ebbert organized the 
first class in the town, composed of Barnet Corwin, John Cor- 
win, Rebecca Jacobs, Eleanor Corwin, Sabina Gaskill, Kath- 
erine Ward, Jane Corwin, and Grace McFall. November 14th, 
1834, William Hutchinson joined the class which increased the 
membership to nine. Rev. Ebbert was the first leader. He 
was succeeded by Robert Dumain. Preaching was supplied by 
the above named preachers every three weeks in the house 
owned then by Samuel Reeves, but recently by James Davidson, 
on Main Street ; in Morgan Gaskill' s house, now owned by R. 
C. Schmertz, on Water Street above Locust Alley ; in John 
Corwin's house now owned by the heirs of Thompson Patter- 
son ; in the house now owned by heirs of John Hutton, and 
sometimes they held services in Rostraver, at the house of the 
late Samuel Reeves, now owned by W. J. Manown, and occu- 
pied by Elliott Minney. 

Grace McFall is the only member living, 1893, of the original 
class. After the erection of the brick school house, in 1836, 
which stood for so lone; a time on the lot on which Thomas D. 



The Old and New Monongahela. 333 

Lehew's house now is, the appointment was moved to this 
house, where preaching was often held. During the time the 
class was held in that house, Jesse Fell was the leader. He 
lived in the old log house which stood near the present brick 
house in Rostraver township, owned by the heirs of Fairman, 
of Allegheny City. He moved long ago to Ohio, and died 
near Cleveland. He was a brother of the mother of William 
Jones, now a prominent member of this church. In 1840 
Peter Swearer and his brother John, both of whom are now 
deceased, became residents of the towm and joined the class, 
and very shortly aferwards the appointment was changed to 
the house of John Swearer, but in which house he lived in 
at that time we are not informed. We do know that in 1847 
he occupied one of the houses in the long row, upper end of 
Main street, and subsequently he resided in the house first now 
above Fourth, on Main street. In about the year 1841 the 
brick church building, now owned by Harrison Husher, on the 
corner of Main and First streets, was erected. Hugh Ford, 
Benjamin Thomas and Solomon Speers were the building com- 
mittee. This was only used as a church for a short time, owing 
to its unsafe condition. 

It was sold and bid in by Thomas Taggart, the contractor. 
Many ridiculous incidents are related of the last meeting held 
in this building. During the time meetings were held here. 
Rev. D. L. Dempsy, Josiali Adams and Samuel Dunlap were 
the principal preachers. In 1842 the frame building, corner 
of Water street and Cherry alley, was purchased from William 
Reeves, who had kept store in it. This, after its purchase, was 
speedily converted into a church; to whom the deed was made 
in trust for the church we are not able to discover. In 1850 
Cookstown and Belle vernon were stricken from the Redstone 
circuit, and made into a station with Rev. J. F. Nessly as 
preacher. Rev. Nessly resided in the house in Bellevernon 
standing now on the corner of Long and Cherry alleys, but at 
that time was on Main street, where the store of Abe Lewis 
is now, 1893. 



334: The Old and New Monongahela. 

The first quarterly conference of Cookstown and Bellevernon 
Station was held in Cookstown, September 7th, 1850. Mem- 
bers present were Kev. Z. H. Costen, P. E. ; Rev. J. F. JSTessly, 
preacher in charge; Samuel Hassler, local preacher; exhorter, 
James Davidson, class leaders, Jesse Jackman, Michael Slot- 
terbeck, William Winters and James Davidson. At this 
meeting Dr. C. H. Connally, S. McCrory, M. Slotterbeck, 
John Mullin and Adam Shunk were elected stewards, for the 
circuit; and on the recommendation of the charge at Belle- 
vernon, Mr. James Davidson was licensed to preach the 
Gospel. 

The Second Quarterly Conference of this station was held in 
Bellevernon, December 21st, 1850, present Rev. Z. H. Cos- 
ton, P. E. ; Rev. J. F. Nessly, preacher in charge; James 
Davidson, local preacher; John Swearer, exhorter; class- 
leaders, Thomas Fields, Jesse Jackman, Geo. B. Cook, An- 
thony Hazelbaker and William Winters. At this meeting in 
addition to Frederick Shively and Anthony Hazelbaker already 
acting Yan Reeves, Adam Shunk, John Mullin, William Lewis 
and John Swearer were elected trustees to the new church in 
Bellevernon. The trustees purchased the lot on Water Street 
above Strawberry Alley from Wm. Eberheart for i^l25, and 
sold to him the old church for $300. On the first day of 
March 1852, Wm. Eberheart, the contractor for the new church, 
rendered to the trustees his account, viz: — Wm. Eberheart in 
account with the M. E. Church, of Bellevernon, Dr. — To cash 
as subscription, |69; U. Ward amount subscribed, i^lO; Hart- 
ranft subscription, $5; Phillip Smock, $2 ; cash as per subscrip- 
tion, $80.50; L. M. Speers, $15; L. M. Speers for J. Beazell, 
$5; cash as per subscription, $13; Thomas Fields' subscription, 
$5; Ziba Whiting's reduction on stone, $4; Methodist Church 
per bill, $300; Wm. Eberheart his amount as subscription for 
self and hands, $228; Ziba Whiting's order for amount, $42; 
cash as per subscription receipts, $156; total, $934.50. Cr. 
—By one lot, $125; Ziba Whiting building church per con- 
tract of Wm. Eberheart, $775; Uriah Ward amount assumed 



Tfic Old and New Monongahela. 335 

by Wm. Eberheart, as payment, |150; total, $1,050; leaving 
a balance due Wm. Eberheart of $115.50. August 31st, 1852. 
Received payment in full. W. Eberheart. 

To William Eberheart the church was very much indebted 
for this building, and his liberality was highly appreciated. 
At the time the deed of this church was reported to the Quar- 
terly Conference, there were present Z. H. Coston, P. E. ; 
Peter F. Jones preacher in charge; James Davidson, local 
preacher; class leaders and stewards, M. G. Ebbert, Johnson 
Noble, Alex Fleming, M. Sloterbeck, Geo. B. Cook, Adam 
Shunk, O. H. P. Scott and Wm. Winters. Of these are dead 
all except one and of the trustees not one are living at this 
date, June 20th, 1887. 

Of the stewards elected September 7th, 1850, only one is 
living out of the five. We can find no special record of the 
services first held in this new church, other than that Rev. 
Peter F. Jones was the preacher in charge, and Rev. Z. H. 
Coston was presiding elder. No formal dedication took place 
as we are informed. We are indebted to Rev. James David- 
son for the list of preachers, not heretofore named, who were 
on the circuit up to 1847, and from that date to this day, 1893. 
They are as follows, viz: Rev. Alcinus Young, B. F. Sawhill, 
Thomas Baker, Moses. Hill, Moses Jamison, David Hess, 
Josiah Mansell, George W. Cranage, Thomas Jamison, Richard 
Armstrong, Westley Smith, David Sharp, Henry Kern, Martin 
Ruter and John J. Moflit. We have but two of the presiding 
elders during that time, viz: Revs. Samuel Wakefield and J. 
J. Swayzie, The preachers from 1847 to the present time, 
1893, are as follows, viz: 

1847-48. Revs. J. G. Sansom, Josiah Mansell and George 
W. Cranage. 

1849-50. Revs. J. F. Nessly and John Coil. 

1851-52. Rev. Peter F. Jones. Z. H. Coston, P. E. 

1853. Rev. J. Borbridge.- 

1854. Rev. D. Rhodes. Franklin Moore, P. E. 
1855-56. Rev. John Williams. 



336 The Old and JSfevj Monongahela. 

1857. Rev. Joseph Horner. J. G. Sansom, P. E. 

1858-59. Rev. John C. Brown. 

1860-61. Rev. George Crook. R. Hopkins, P. E. 

1862-63. Rev. James Hollingshead. 

1864-65. Rev. M. L. Weekly. 

1866. Rev. J. F. Jones. 

1867. Revs. C. H. Edwards, C. A. Hohnes. A. J. 
Endsley, P. E. 

1868-69. Rev. E. Williams. 

1870-71-72. Rev. E. B. Griffin. 

1873-74-75. Rev. M. McK. Garret. L. R. Beacom, P. E. 

1876-77. Rev. N. P. Kerr. This was called the short 
term, owing to changing of the meeting of conference from 
March to September. 

1878-79. Rev. S. W. Davis. 

1880-81-82. Rev. A. P. Leonard. 

1883-84-85. Rev. J. B. Uber. 

1886. Rev. George A. Sheets. 

1889-91. Rev. Robert Cartwright. 

1891-93. Rev. I. H. Pershing. 

Rev. J. G. Sansom died in Brownsville May 4th, 1861, after 
43 years of active work in the ministry. Rev. B. F. Sawhill 
has been 20 years at work. Thomas Baker died in Ohio 
county, W. Ya., in 1845. George W. Cranage died in 1882 
in Pittsburgh. Josiah Mansell is still living, and now stationed 
at Upper Middletown, Fayette county, and has been in the 
ministry 41 years. Thomas Jamison died at Senecaville, Ohio, 
November 3rd, 1851. Richard Armstrong died aged 84 at 
Freeport, Pa., August 19th, 1859. Westley Smith is dead. 
David Hess died at Pittsburgh in 1873, after an effective career 
of 36 years in the service. Henry Kern died at Mt. Pleasant, 
Iowa, in 1872. Martin Ruter died at Washington, Texas, in 
1838. John J. Moffit died in Uniontown, from an injury, in 
1881, after a service of 40 years. 

Samuel Wakefield resides in West Newton, Pa., and although 
he has been in active work for over seventy-five years, he is 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 337 

still vigorous and bids fair for some years yet of physical before 
he enters upoTi the spiritual life. He preached his first sermon 
in Mt. Pleasant in 1S20. J. J. Swayze left this world in 1853, 
in Allegheny City. Peter F. Jones died in Brooke comity, W. 
Va., in 1856. Z. H. Coston died in Lawrence, Kas., in 1874. 
Joseph Horner is in Pittsburgh. R. Hopkins resides in Sewickly, 
Pa. ; was received on trial in 1823, came to Pittsburgh confer- 
ence in 1825, has been effective forty years, presiding elder 
nineteen years. W. L. Weekly died very aged and had a ca- 
reer of fifty years of effective work. J. F. Jones is stationed 
at Washington in full vigor of active service. E. B. Griffin 
died at Canton, Ohio. Frank Moore graduated at Washington 
college in the class of 1812, attended for a time the sessions of 
the Western Theological seminary, entered the ministry in the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and while quite young in years 
had the honc^rary degree of D. D. conferred on him. At his 
death, which occurred in the state of California some years 
since, he was considered one of the most learned and distin- 
guished ministers in the Methodist denomination. The writer 
knew him well and watched with great interest his career in 
life. 

John C. Brown lived in Iowa. After having filled many im- 
portant stations in the church, his latter days have become 
over- shadowed with a cloud that the many friends of his early 
life still hope and pray may be removed ere he passes away. 
C. H. Edwards is a member of the East Ohio Conference. M. 
McK. Garrett died in Forest City, Iowa, in 1883. L. R. Bea- 
com is in Pittsburgh, having already had 38 years of effective 
service with 8 years as presiding elder. Rev. A. J, Endsley 
after many years in the service, has been retired under not 
favorable surroundings. Charles A. Holmes is in Allegheny, 
has been 15 years in active service, and is looked upon as one 
of the strongest pillars in the church. N. P. Kerr, Waynesburg. 
S. W. Davis, Washington, Pa. ; A. P. Leonard, Jeannette; J. B. 
Uber, Canonsburg. Rev. J. H. Ebbert, the leader of the 
original class, is now a resident of Philadelphia, he has been 



338 Tfie Old and New Monongahela. 

an effective minister only five years, he entered the ministry 
in 1831, was supernumerary one, and superannuated 50 years. 
For many years he was connected with the banking business in 
Pittsburgh. We have a letter written by him to Rev. James 
Davidson in 1876, in reference to the original class, but cannot 
find it. Of the original class and its formation, Mrs. Grace 
McFall yet speaks very distinctly. Her maiden name was 
Call; she is a sister of the late Nicholas Call, whose wife was 
a sister of Rev. Jas. Davidson; also of Daniel and John Call, 
a sister of Mrs. Alexander Frazer, near this place, and also of 
the first wife of Barnet Corwin who was a member of the class. 
Mrs. McFall was born August 25, 1813, in an old log house 
that stood on the George Fisher farm near Lenity school house; 
she was married to Thomas McFall July 28, 1831, by Rev. J. 
G. Sansom, assisted by Rev. John Irwin, in a house on the 
farm long owned by Benjamin Thomas in Rostraver; she has 
lived in the house in which she now resides ever since 1833, 
in which year her husband built it. She joined the M. E. 
church in March, 1828, under the ministry of Father Steven- 
son at Fell's old log church; Benjamin Beazel was her first 
class-leader; in 1834 as we have already stated, she became a 
member of Rev. Ebbert's class in Belleveruon. 

Barnet Corwin, now dead, resided near town and had long 
been a member of the Free-Will Baptist church. At what time 
he dissolved his connection with the M. E. church we are not 
informed. His wife Eleanor died in Fehruary, 1839, in the 
house now owned by the Hutton heirs on Main street. John 
Corwin died many years ago in Morgan county, Ohio; Jane, 
his wife, was a daughter of Mathew Patterson, of Washington 
county; she died in Greene county, Ind., in 1886. Her second 
husband's name was Davis. Mrs. Katy Ward, another of the 
class, died in the house occupied recently by James Hagerty, the 
postmaster. Sabina Gaskill's maiden name was Lane; she died 
about the year 1885, in Ohio. Rebecca Jacobs was a member 
of the M. E. church for nearly half a century, lived much of 
her life in this town and vicinity; she died January 17, 1870, 



The Old and Neat^ Monongahela. 339 

at the residence of her grandson, H. H, Elliot, in Pittsburgh, 
Pa. She was a sister of Mrs. Katy Ward. 

Robert Demain succeeded Rev. Ebbert as leader of the class. 
He came from Norfolk, England, in 1832, to Brownsville. In 
1838 he came to Bellevernon and lived for one year in the 
house now owned by Mrs. Eliza Smock, and then moved into 
the house occupied by Captain J. M. Bowell and Morgan Bow- 
ers, on Water street (which he purchased from the late William 
Eberheart), where he lived to the day of his death. He was 
killed January 13, 1843, in a coal bank above town near the 
stone house now owned by R. C. Schmertz. He was a man of 
great piety and Christian influence. In 1840 Peter Swearer was 
added to the old class. He joined the M. E. church in 1832, 
and was an active and devoted member to the day of his death, 
which occurred at Brownsville, Pa., February 15, 1877, aged 
seventy-two years. He was a class-leader forty years. In 
1876 Rev. James Davidson wrote to him making some in- 
quiries relating to the early history of the church in this place, 
and in reply his son writes as follows: 

" My father often speaks of the church in Bellevernon; of 
its struggles for success, and of the glorious success attending 
the prayers and efforts of the few who were found on the 
Lord's side. He speaks of the glorious meetings — the sweet 
counsel taken with many who since that have finished their 
course and gone to their heavenly home. Father is now an old 
man, waiting by the river, his race nearly run, and sometimes 
bursts forth in shouts of praise to the God who has kept him 
all the journey through up to the present, and fully believes the 
promise, ''I will never leave nor forsake thee." 

James R. Swearer. 

John Swearer, brother of Peter, was a zealous Christian of 
the early days of this church. He died many years since 
with the brightest hopes of a blessed immortality. He too 
was a class leader of long standing. 

Among the early reminiscences of the church tlie name of 
Noah W. Speers looms up with as much prominence for active 



340 The Old and Nem Monoiigahela. 

work as any one of those days. It affords us very great 
pleasure to be able at this time, over his own signature, to give 
inany historical facts and incidents relative to the early struggles 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bellevernon. 

Memphis, June 26th, 1887. 
J. S. Yam Yoorhis, M.I). 

Dear Sir: — In compliance with your request, I send the 
following. 

My father, Noah Speers, born March 27, 1769, was founder 
of Bellevernon. I remember distinctly of helping to plant 
corn where the glass works now stand down to the hollow 
where the steamboat yard was. My father died June 9th, 
1832. One or two years before or perhaps prior to above date, 
James G. Sansom, an eloquent holy Methodist minister, who 
travelled Red Stone Circuit including a considerable portion of 
Washington county, making a four weeks circuit, then crossing 
the river at Bellevernon, stopping at father's house, he would 
arrange to give an evening service on his return home, which 
was near FeU's Church, in the forks of the two rivers, Yough- 
iogheny and Monongahela, Preaching was then held in the 
school-house (owned by father,) which was about three doors 
south of the old Ward Mansion, opposite Jones' bank, on Main 
Street. My father gave Rev. Mr. Sansom the use of a fine 
horse during his time on that circuit. 

Luke Beazell, his wife and sons Lemuel and John, also 
daughters Susie and Mary, were living on the Miller farm, op- 
posite Lock and dam No. 4. Manassah Reeves, Esq., Samuel 
and Jesse Reeves, brothers, were living on farms adjoining 
my fathers. The above named persons (except my father) were 
members of Fells Church. Class meeting and monthly ]ireaching 
was held at Samuel Reeves' till his death, then for an indefi- 
nite time at Manassah Reeves'. Andrew C. Ford was class- 
leader. Some time during the year, after father's death, sister 
Clara and I joined the church at Williamsport, under the 
preaching of the Rev. S. R. Brockuour. I don't remember 



The Old and New Monongahela. 341 

dates as all my books and memoranda were burned at Cincin- 
nati, at the time of my great loss by fire. I think in 34, or 
35, maybe 36, Revs. Alcinus Young and John Irwin were on 
Redstone circuit and occasionally preached at private houses 
in Bellevernon. 

It was not until Mr. William Eberheart established the glass 
works, in '36 or '37, that Robert Demain, coal miner; Peter 
and John Swearer and Nelson Goslin, glass blowers, and 
prominent Methodists, established class and weekly prayer 
meetings; also Barnes C. Reeves and David Parkhill, builder 
and carpenter, took part in these meetings. During this period 
I was away at Meadville College, and on my return in the 
spring of '37 these meetings were kept up in the private resi- 
dences. About this period we organized a church with Hugh 
Ford, Barnes C. Reeves, Solomon Speers, Peter Swearer, 
David Parkhill, Goslin, Manassah Reeves, I think, and my- 
self, as trustees and stewards, and built the brick church on the 
side of the hill, a little south of where the Presbyterian church 
now stands. The foundation proved bad, and the people were 
fearful and did not occupy it. During a suit for damages we 
lost title to the building. 

I rented this church for the commencement exercises of the 
Bellevernon Academy, and it was packed to its utmost capacity, 
which gained the confidence of most of the members. Still it 
was not used; the meetings continuing in private houses till 
the glass works went out of blast in July and August, when the 
glass blowers (principally from Albany, near Brownsville), as 
was their custom during the session of the annual conference, 
held protracted prayer meeting till the new minister arrived. 
The meetings were kept u]) for a week or two without any per- 
ceptible feeling except the fervent faithfulness of the dozen or 
less which attended. 

A meeting was held in Father Demain 's residence. My 
niece, Diana Speers, daughter of brother Solomon Speers, 
said to me as I passed, "I will go to prayer meeting with you."" 
As was our custom the invitation was given, ''All who desire 

24 



342 The Old and Neiv Monongaliela. 

prayer to signify by remaining on their knees while a verse 
would be siuig. "" While no one knelt the effect of the invita- 
tion was as if the Holy Spirit was present. Friday and Satur- 
day evenings my niece was not present, but the house was 
filled on both evenings, and the deepest feeling of religious in- 
terest was felt throughout the village and surrounding neigh- 
borhood. Without further notice than being asked by Brother 
Demain to hold the Sunday evening service in his house, with 
the special request by him that the members make a special 
prayer for the sinners of Bellevernon, and the new pastors, not 
knowing who they would be. If they would make this the 
burden of their hearts and come to the meeting a great work 
could be accomplished. An hour before candle lighting people 
from the country and village arrived, and before the hour for 
service from 150 to 200 collected in and around the house as if 
by magic. I proposed renting the brick church for our meet- 
ings. Gaining consent, I sent out runners with candles to light 
the church, and when the hour arrived the house was literally 
packed. 

Brothers Demain, Peter and John Swearer were the principal 
leaders, but when we entered the alter they refused to lead, say- 
ing to me, ' 'you brought us here, you are the man to lead. ' ' Not 
knowing why, only by the power of compulsion, I opened to 
and read the good old hymn: — "Alas! and did my Savior 
bleed!" with a trembling voice. Sobs and sighs were heard 
all over the house. After the hymn read from Ephcsians 2nd 
chapter, not knowing why. Fifteen mourners without invita- 
tion knelt at the altar. These meetings were kept up for sev- 
eral days, the brothers Peter and John Swearer and Father De- 
main leading alternately. When the new pastors came, broth- 
ers Dempsey and Adams, from Conference, we handed them 
27 names as the result of the protracted prayer meeting. We 
occupied the church during the fall and winter, then the old 
building known as Reeves' store house, was used till March 
'47, I think, when I moved to Cincinnati. 



The Old and Neiv Monongahela. 3-1:8 

There are doubtless many things I might say of interest after 
more mature deliberation. There is one circumstance which I 
remember very forcibly. During a service in the brick church 
in the early spring, a deep snow had fallen and a thaw and a 
freeze had made the ground very slippery. The church had 
two entrances, one in front with high steps, the other at the side 
next the hill with a wall five or six feet high. On the hillside 
by the church a number of sugar trees were growing, some of 
which had been tapped. While Brother Adams was preaching, 
giving a terrible description of the Judgment Day, and about 
8 p. m., two boys were getting sugar water with a couple of 
lanterns just as the preacher came to a climax of fire and brim- 
stone, the boys started to see which could go fastest down the 
hill swinging lanterns in hand. One or two sympathetic sis- 
ters sang out in a very high key, "The fire is coming indeed." 
This attracted the entire congregation to the two balls of fire, 
as the lanterns appeared to be. The people made for the doors 
down the slippery walks toward Main street and home. In an 
instant the boys put out the lantern and quietly slipped home, 
keeping the secret. One of the boys, my nephew, came 
quietly to me and begged me to keep the secret, which I did, 
until a full description had been given by all who witnessed 
the scene, and in their own way. In listening to the various 
descri])tions of the scene, I believe the lanterns were described 
as l)eing large as hay stacks, etc., the smallest mentioned was 
the size of a barrel. Don't you think had you witnessed that 
scene it would have made you git? 

Brothers Moses Jamison, Cornelius Battell and Galleliew 
were on the circuit, but I forget in what years. 

Yours, 

N. W. Sl'EEKS. 

Stewards in Bellevernon M. E. Church. 

Among tlie many persons who have been class-leaders and 
stewards in this church iK'sidcs those we have already men- 
tioned, we have gathered the names of the following up to 



344 The Old and New Motwngahela. 

February, 1866: — Samuel Reeves, Van Reeves, James David- 
son, Robert Davidson, John Watson, Wm. Winters, Milton G. 
Ebbert, Anthony Hazelbaker, Fred Shibler, John Mnllin, 
Thomas Edwards, J. T. Roley, Chas. Boise, Davis Shepler, 
O. H. P. Scott, Adam Shunk, Samuel Sutton, Benjamin 
Hughes, C. B. Chalfant, Wm. Gaskill, W. H. Jones, W. H. 
Johnson, John R. Powell, John»N. Beazell, Wm. Kyle, J. J. 
Zimmerman, D. P. Housman, Church Porter, Curtiss Reppert, 
Amon Bronson. James Davidson has been recording Steward 
since 3Iarch 10th, 1865, with the exception of one year. The 
Rev. James Davidson with John Watson, Davis Shepler, 
David Fetz and Howard M. Fish, have been in this church as 
local preachers. The organ was first introduced into the church 
music in the fall of 1866. From contributions and the proceeds 
of a concert held by Miss Lizzie Yan Yoorhis and others, in 
the old frame Church, sufficient funds were raised to purchase 
the small organ still in use in the Sabbath School. Lizzie A^an 
Voorhis was the organist until the new organ was placed in 
the brick church. 

In a former article we said that the lot on which the new 
frame church on Water street was erected had been purchased 
from William Eberheart. The title we find, however, came 
through Jj. M. Speer and Jane, his wife, by deed of convey- 
ance to Van Reeves and others, the then trustees of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church of Bellevernon, dated November 20, 
1852, and by deed from Noah Speers and others, the then 
trustees of said church, dated October 2, 1867, to Robert C. 
Schmertz. Robert C. Schmertz and Mary Elizabeth, his wife 
conveyed the same lot and church building, by deed dated De- 
cember 10, 1868, to John B. Gould and James H. Springer, 
trustees of the Church of Christ by the name of Christians or 
Disciples of Christ of Bellevernon. The old Disciple church 
and lot, corner of Water and Fourth streets, was sold to R. C. 
Schmertz, and is now numbered among the glass factory build- 
ings. The rapidly increasing population of the town, and a 
corresponding prosperity of the church, necessitated larger ac- 



The Old and Neio Monongahela, 845 

coinmodations, for the comfort of the congregation. During 
the conference year of 1866, when Rev. J. F. Jones was 
preacher in charge, the preliminaries were entered into for the 
raising of the funds. As we have stated the old church was 
sold. The board of trustees appointed at the last quarterly con- 
ference of the year 1866, held in Bellevernon February 19, 
1866, consisted of James Davidson, A. Bronson, J. R. Powell, 
William Kyle, C. Reppert, Noah Speers, Jasper Haught, Sam- 
uel Sutton and Jacob Haught, for Bellevernon, and Jabez Nutt, 
Thomas Page, John Mnllin, James Billiter, J. H. Weaver, G. 
R. Thirkield, W. H. Faulkner, J. J. Zimmerman and Church 
T. Porter, for Fayette City. 

As far as we can discover, most of these brethren were in 
the board during the building of the brick church on Main street. 
The lot on Main street, 50x100 feet. No. 53, was purchased 
for JB4:42 from William H. Jones and wife, by deed of convey- 
ance to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bellevernon, dated 
19th day of October, 1867, it being a piece of ground which 
John Tiernan, administrator of Thos. Taggart, deceased, deeded 
to said William H. Jones, December 18th, 1863. Rev, C. H. 
Edwards was pastor during these proceedings in the year 1867. 
The corner stone was laid June 10th, 1867, by Mrs. Eliza 
Weaver, Misses Emma, Maggie and Lydia Davidson. The 
stone work was done by Robert Hagerty, the carpenter work 
by J. R. Powell, the brick work by Solomon Meridith, and the 
painting by John Hatfield. The fine bell which graces the 
tower was presented by John Gibson, of Philadelphia. 

October 27, 1867, was the day appointed for the dedication 
of the chapel or lecture room of the new church. The open- 
ing sermon was preached by Rev. I. C. Pershing, D.D., Pre- 
sident of the Pittsburgh Female College to a large and atten- 
tive audience. In the afternoon a deeply interesting sacra- 
mental service was held. In the evening Rev. A. J. Endsley, 
Presiding Elder, preached a very excellent sermon. The entire 
length of the building is seventy feet, by forty-two in width. 
The main audience room is forty by fifty-eight feet exclusive of 



340 The Old and Nevi Monongahela. 

the gallery over the vestibule. The lecture room is thirty-nine 
by forty-four feet, with two class rooms at the entrance. A 
well proportioned tower rises twenty-three feet above the roof 
and is surmounted with a spire fifty-two feet in height; making 
a total of one hundred and thirty-seven feet from the ground. 
During the ministry of Ed. Williams, in the year 1869, the 
audience room and other unfinished parts were completed, and 
on the 25tli of July, 1869, the house entire was dedicated to 
the service of God, according to the form prescribed in the 
Book of Discipline. In the dedication services the pastor, 
Kev. Ed. Williams was assisted by Revs. M. L. Weekly, J. 
Horner, J. H. Conkle, S. II. Nesbit and E. Dudley. The 
entire cost of the building is estimated at |>15,000. To the 
untiring industry and perserverance of the Pastors Rev. Ed- 
wards and Williams, and the board of trustees, whose names 
will appear in the charter, the church is indebted for this beau- 
tiful and substantial building. To facilitate the financial and 
legal operations of the church matters it was deemed prudent 
and wise to have the church incorporated, thereupon an appli- 
cation for a charter of incorporation was presented to the 
Court of Common Pleas, of Fayette county, June 7, 1867. 

The court having examined the Articles of Association June 
7th, 1867, ordered the application to be filed in the oflice of 
the prothonotary of said court, and the court also directed 
notice to be inserted in the Genius of L/herty of said applica- 
tion. In the court of common pleas, of Fayette county, 
Pennsylvania. And now, to wit, September 2nd, 1867, having 
satisfactory evidence that the proper notice was given pursuant 
to the former order of this court, and \\o sufticient reason having 
been shown wdiy the foregoing charter sliould not be granted, 
we do hereby decree and declare that the members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bellevernon, and their suc- 
cessors, shall, according to the articles and conditions in the 
within instrument set forth and contained, become and be a 
corporation and body politic, and direct that this, their charter 
of incorporation, shall be recorded in the office for the record- 
ing of deeds in this county. By the court. 



The Old and New Monongahela. 347 

At a meeting of the' members of the church November 12, 
18G7, the charter was accepted and at the same time the trus- 
tees organized by electing Jasper Haught, president; Noah 
Speers, secretary, and Curtiss Reppert, treasurer. During the 
year 1870 the Belle vernon charge was separated from Fayette 
City, Rev. E. B. Griffin being the preacher, and resided in the 
house on the corner of Water and Fourth streets. In the year 
1881 the church purchased from Amon Bronson, for a parsonage, 
the house situated corner of Wood street and Locust alley. The 
trustees for 1887 were Noah Speers, C. Reppert, Amon Bron- 
son, James Davidson, W. C. Kittle, J. B. Zeh, L. Steen, Wm. 
Jones and J. B. Thompson. Wm. Jones, president; L. Steen, 
secretary, and W. C. Kittle, treasurer. The present class lead- 
ers (July 14, 1887) are Noah Speers, James Davidson and J. 
B. Thompson. The stewards are James Davidson, J. B. Zeh, 
J. B. Thompson, C. Reppert, W. C. Kittle, Amon Bronson, 
Wm. Jones, John Durst, Leightty Steen and Noah Speers. We 
again acknowledge our indebtedness to Rev. James Davidson 
for his aid in furnishing much material for this historical sketch 
of the Methodist E})iscopal church. lie has been so long 
identified with this church that his work is everywhere, for 
nearly half a century, mingled with its progress. He was con- 
verted in May, 1838, in the old stone church in Elizabeth, 
under the preaching of Rev. John Coil, but first joined the 
church at Fell's not long afterwards. He connected himself 
with the Bellevernon church in 1850, while Rev. J. F. Nessly 
was in charge. Mrs. Margaret Lewis, Grace McFall, Samuel 
Reeves and wife, Levi Harris, are the only persons he can 
recollect as members now, who were such at the time he came 
to this church. 

Fkee Will Baptist Church. 

In April, 1843, certain brethren living in Bellevernon and 
vicinity made a request in the form of a petition to Elder Jos- 
hua Newbold, for the organization of a Free Will Baptist 
Church in that village. The request was presented to the 



348 The Old and Neio Monongahela. 

Jacobs Creek Church at the monthly meeting held on the sec- 
ond Saturday (8th) of April, of the same year. At this same 
quarterly meeting, Elder Joshua Newbold, S. G. Smutz, David 
Smith, Jr., Robert Armstrong and Alexander Armstrong were 
appointed a council to organize such a church, April 22, 1843; 
if they considered it proper so to do. The council met in the 
old brick school house on the hill, and all being present except 
Alexander Armstrong, they proceeded to business by choosing 
Elder Joshua Newbold, president, and S. G. Smutz, secretary, 
after examining the matter solemnly and truly as required, the 
council duly organized and constituted the petitioners into a 
church. 

The names of the twelve persons which constituted the 
church are as follows: Thomas C.Jordan, Daniel Springer, Roger 
Jordon, Isaac Ferree, Jas. M. Springer, Hannah Jordon, Rachel 
Springer, Lydia Springer, Eliza Jordon, Elizabeth Elder, Cath- 
arine Shocky, Sarah Ann Jordon ; Elder Joshua Newbold was 
elected pastor for one year. Daniel Springer and Isaac Ferree 
were chosen Deacons and Roger Jordon clerk. At a meeting of 
the members, April 22, 1843, it was resolved that we will agree 
to form ourselves as Free Will Baptists into a church, to be 
called the Belle vernon church, and we agree to take the 
Scriptures for our only rule of faith and practice, and to walk 
according to the order of the Free Will Baptists as laid down 
in the Treatise of the General Conference in 1834, and that we 
agree that the majority shall rule in all cases except in receiv- 
ing members and excluding them, it will be expected to be a 
unanimous vote of the church so far as practicable, and that 
we agree to support a preacher, so far as we are able. Signed 
by all the 12 members. 

The first meeting of the church in conference was held on 
the 4th Saturday of May, 1843, being the 27th day. June 
3rd, 1843, at this second quarterly conference meeting, Daniel 
Springer was appointed delegate to the Jacobs Creek quarterly 
conference, being the first of the kind appointed. At the con- 
ference held July 1st, Dr. Charles B. Egan delivered his first 



The Old and Neio Mononcjahela. 349 

exhortation. September 12th, 1843, it was resolved to make 
an effort to build a church by subscriptions of money. March 
26th, 1841, the effort to raise money being successful to such 
an extent as to warrant the building of a church, it was resolved 
to appoint Daniel Springer, Roger Jordon and William Wayts 
trustees for the funds already raised, and the same persons 
were named as a building committee, and authorized to erect a 
church building 26 x 36 feet. It was built on the lot on Wood 
street near Flint alley, now owned by D. W. Owens; Thomas 
Taggart was the contractor. The church was dedicated Sep- 
tember 8tli, 1844; elder Joshua Newbold preached the dedica- 
tory sermon. 

December 16, 1856, Roger Jordon resigned his position as 
clerk and trustee, which he held since the organization of the 
church. James M. Springer was elected in his place, and 
served until May 25th, 1869. Pierson B. Luce was elected 
clerk April 23d, 1870, Mrs. Allie Cooper, February 2nd, 1877, 
Mrs. Erzanna Browneller, January 6th, 1879, and John C. 
Lynn, was elected January 5, 1885. The deacons are P. B. 
Luce, James Phillips; and treasurer, Dr. A. N. Marston. The 
old church becoming too small for the growing congregation, 
it was determined to erect a new building. A lot on Short 
street, North Bellevernon, was purchased from L. M. Speers 
for $350; on it the present beautiful structure was erected in 
in 1871-72. The total cost was $2800. The contractor for the 
frame work was the late O. D. Johnson. The plastering was 
done by Thomas Cooper and the painting by Robert McClure. 

The church was dedicated April 21, 1872, Rev. James Cal- 
der, of Harrisburg, preaching the dedication sermon. The 
spire was blown down by a storm in the fall of 1876, and was 
replaced by the present cupalo. The lot. No. 71, on which the 
church is erected, was deeded by L. M. Speers and wife, Fan- 
nie, June 1, 1871, to J. Wesley Corwin, Joseph B. Courtney 
and John Hixenbaugh, trustees of the Free-Will Baptist church 
of Bellevernon borough. To the untiring efforts of the late 
J. W. Corwin the church is indebted for this building more 



350 The Old and New Monongahela. 

than any one other individnaL From the day the idea of build- 
ing it was conceived nntil the last dollar was paid he never let 
lip in his labor to have the work accomplished, and he had be- 
fore his death not only the comforts' of a beautiful church edifice 
but the consolation of having done his duty well. He had been 
a member of this church since 1854. 

On the 4th day of April, 1846, elders Joshua Newbold, 
Edward Jordon and David Smutz were elected to preach alter- 
nately every two weeks for the next year. These preachers 
were succeeded in their time by Drs. Egan, Newbold, Reardon, 
Winton, Plannet, Cook, Blakely, Jordon, Bryant, Springer, 
Lacock, Joy, Nye, Rogers, Fish, Smutz, Knap, Hills, and the 
present pastor, Joel Baker, who took charge May 6th, 1883. 
Rev. Joel Baker was born in Connecticut, studied theology at 
New Hampton Theological School, was licensed to preach at 
the quarterly meeting held at Meredith, New Hampshire, May 
27th, 1856, and was ordained at Alton, N. H., November 
19th, 1857. Like most of other churches, this one has no 
regular record of the origin and early workings of its Sabbath 
school. 

The Free Will Baptist Sabbath School was organized 
in 1844, after the occupancy of the church building on 
Wood street ; Daniel Springer was the first superintendent, 
and continued as such until he removed to Brownsville 
sometime in the early fifties, where he only remained 
two months. He afterwards was superintendent at different 
times. The school at this date, July 27, 1887, is in 

a flourishing condition. Its present oflicers are : Superintend- 
ent, Dr. A. N. Marston ; Assistant, Ed. J. Corwin ; Teachers, 
the pastor, Joel Baker, Mrs. Katty Marston, Mrs. Luther Cor- 
win, Mrs. Barnet Corwin, Mrs. D. W. Jones, Mrs. John Dow- 
ling, Misses Jennie Worrell, Ella Fuester, Mintie Clegg, Lizzie 
Scott ; Secretary and Librarian, Thomas Scott, Jr. ; Treasurer, 
Mintie Clegg. 



The Old and New Monongahela. 351 

Disciple Church of Bellevernon. 

The exact date at which the Disciples first held meetings in 
Bellevernon cannot be fixed, but from all the information we 
can gather, in 1838 two elders named Landfier, of Ohio, 
preached in the house on Water street below Cherry alley, 
lately occupied by Alexander Brown. A lady whose name 
has been forgotten, was immersed by them, being the first bap- 
tism by the Disciples in the town. After these gentlemen. 
Elder Pool came into the neighborhood and preached in private 
houses and the brick school house on the hill. In conversation 
with Elder L. P. Streator, we learned that he preached 
in 1841 in the Brown house on Water street, then oc- 
cupied by Bowman Furnier; after the discourse Miss Sallie 
Gould was baptized at the ferry wharf. During the religious 
excitement in this vicinity in 1843, among the different churches, 
a number of Disciple preachers visited the town and began 
preaching in private dwellings. Among these were Elders 
Pool, Pyatt, Benedict, McKenzie and some others whose names 
are lost. They held meetings in the houses of J. B. Gould, 
James Corwin, A. P. Frye, Nathaniel Everson, and the school 
house on the hill. The result of these meetings was the gath- 
ering into the Disciple faith of quite a number, among whom 
we may mention John B. Gould and wife, James Corwin, Sr., 
and wife, Joseph Springer and wife, James H. Springer and 
wife, Mary Corwin, Hester and Mary, daughters of James 
Corwin, Sr., Ackey and Sallie Gould whom w^e have already 
named. The brethren in 1844 determined to build a meeting 
house, and the result was the building corner of Fourth and 
Water streets. 

In 1869 this house was sold, as we have stated in a former 
article, to K. C. Schmertz, and the old Methodist churcli pur- 
chased. Elder Pool preached for a year or perhaps two after 
the completion of the new house. He lived in the house corner 
First and Water streets. As yet there was no congregation 
regularly organized in the town. Meetings were held on every 



352 The Old and Ne%o Monongahela. 

alternate Lord's day with Fayette City congregation. Meet- 
ings were held at different times by such elders as Benedict, 
Hughes, Walk, Southmaid, Delmont and Kowe, until 1869, 
when Elder Rowe, having held a successful meeting, it was 
thought best to organize a separate organization in Bellevernon. 
A written request being sent to Fayette City congregation and 
granted, in May, 1870, an organization was effected. John B. 
Gould, D. B. H. Allen and James M. Springer were chosen 
elders, and James H. Springer and Thomas Fawcet, deacons; 
D. B. H. Allen, treasurer, and James M. Springer, clerk. In 
the Disciple church the pastors are elected by the individual 
congregation at pleasure. The first regular pastor after the 
organization was Elder J. B. Cox, who remained a year or two, 
and was succeeded by Southmaid, Delmont, Pyatt, Streator, 
Rowe, Chase, Vogel, and Jobes, the present pastor is Elder Brice 
L. Kershner. In the absence of a pastor the meetings are con- 
ducted by the elders, who have the oversight of the church, 
and preaching is had as the congregation may desire by em- 
ploying preachers to hold meetings. 

The First School in Bellevernon. 

The first school in the village of Bellevernon was taught by 
John Hazelbaker in the kitchen part of the house of the 
venerable Mary Corwin. This house originally stood on the 
farm now owned by James Ward, in Rostraver, and was 
the primitive dwelling of Michael Springer, who emigrated 
to this country from Stockholm, in Sweden. John Hazelbaker 
was a brother of the late Jacob Hazelbaker, who lived for 
many years in the stone house just above town ; also of the 
late George Hazelbaker, of Allen township, Washington 
county. Schools were also taught by John B. Gould and 
others in the house now occupied by W. P. Mackey, and in 
the house owi;ed now by Mrs. Eliza Smock, and in several 
other houses. 

After the common school system was adopted in 1834, the 
old brick school house on the hill was erected with brick taken 



The Old and Neui Monongahela. 353 

from the old Rehoboth church which had been built in 1803. 
The money to build this school house was raised by subscrip- 
tion, and erected under the supervision of Solomon Speers and 
A. P. Frye. This house being in the woods and on the hill, 
was soon considered so inconvenient that the school board of 
Washington township determined to build a new one in Gould's 
hollow. It was built of brick taken from the old mill near the 
mouth of Speers' run, owned in the long ago by David 
Furnier. This old school building is still standing, a monu- 
ment of the past. The only remnant extant of the old brick 
church of Rehoboth may be seen in the pavement in front of 
the residence of W. P. Mackey. Whilst he owned the house 
Dr. Van Yoorhis had the pavement made of brick taken from 
the old school house on the hill. 

After the erection of the school house in Gould's hollow the 
one on the hill was abandoned, but in after years, when two 
schools became necessary, it was again occupied under the au- 
spices of the Washington township school board. Among the 
teachers in the brick school house on the hill we can mention 
William, or Billy Bolt, as he was called. He lived in the house 
recently owned by John H. Shepperd, in Rostraver. Robert T. 
Galloway was another teacher. He afterwards became a law- 
yer; resided in Uniontown; was elected to the Legislature in 
1844, was elected prothonotary in 1854, and died in Connells- 
ville not many years since ripe in honors and esteem of his 
fellow-citizens. David Longneckcr also taught in this house. 
Nancy J. Gould, John C. Hasson, John B. Gould, John Wil- 
son, a Mr. Martin, Henry Fulton, now of California; Prof. 
George P. Fulton, of Pittsburgh, and Sallie Gould, were among 
those who taught in this old house. 

John C. Hasson taught his first school in 1852 in the old 
Tromont House, over the river nearly opposite the glass works. 
He was the first teacher in Fayette county examined by Joshua 
Y. Gibbons, who was the first County Superintendent. The 
examination was in 1854 in Gould's school house. Mr. Hasson 
is still among us, being one of the most substantial citizens of 



354 The Old and New Monongahela. 

North Bellevernon. Geo. P. Fulton had been a teacher of 
comraon schools since he was seventeen j^ears old. Was three 
years in the army, and had been for seventeen years principal 
of the Hiland Public School, in Pittsburgh before his death. 
He very kindly undertook to give .the writer a paper on his 
early career as a teacher in Bellevernon, but before completing 
it as he desired, he was overtaken with disease, disabling him 
from giving a full history. We subjoin his letter. Prof. Geo. 
P. Fulton says : 

"In April, 1852, I commenced teaching in Bellevernon, in 
the old brick school house on the hill. It was a subscription 
school. The glassmen of the works of W. Eberheart, Sr., com- 
pos<3d the controlling element in all the affairs of the town and 
neighborhood. Old man Eberheart was ^rex ahsohUm^ of the 
glass trade from New Geneva to New Orleans. Then there 
were no strikes. If a workman was not satisfied with his wages 
he threw up his ' pot, ' vacated the tenement of his employer 
on summary notice, received his pay and left the town. Adam 
and George Shunk, Oliver Scott, Christ Welzcr, Oliver Town, 
John Hutton, Charley Coll, George Bunting and William II. 
Faulkner, were glass-house men whose names arc still fresh in 
my memory. The farmers of Allen and Fallowfield over the 
river, brought their butter and eggs to Eberheart' s store, whilst 
the Finley's, the Smocks, Robinsons and Springers, from the 
farms in the forks and Pehoboth valley, furnished from their 
herds grass-fed beeves and swine for the glass-works families. 

"Side by side the glass making industry, were the boatyards 
of L. M. Speers whoso sterling character for probity and gen- 
erous dealings in all this great enterprise, will be remembered 
as long as the name of the town shall stand, or hearts can beat 
in the breasts of those whp then enjoyed his friendship, his 
confidence and his princely hospitality. 

"Clarke's coal works above town were then in operation, Init 
the custom of the miners in the stores generally went to Cooks- 
town, s(i that the glass works and boat yards alone kept the 
community in thrift and industry. 



The Old and Neio Monongahela . 355 

"The lirst of July, when the fires were out was a cariiiv^al sea- 
son for Bellevernon creditors from tlie highest to the lowest in 
the ranks of the year's workers. Dr. Yan Voorhis gathered in 
his yearly harvest of dues for healing offices; the preachers and 
school teachers were then paid; old Dr. Jacob Hazelbaker ran 
down delinquents for his cobling services, on the hob-nailed 
shoes of the teazers, rendered in the intervals of his veterinary 
practice; old man Jones who kept the ale-house on the corner 
of First and Water streets, rubbed out the chalked scores for 
the nut brown draughts dealt to the toilers during the year, and 
laid in fresh supplies of refreshment for the summer solstice. 

"I taught but two terms in the town. The second school 
was held in a hall fitted up by Division No. 286, Sons of Tem- 
perance, converted long since into a dwelling, and now owned 
and occupied by Allen K. and Curtiss Reppert, on Main below 
Third street. William Eberheart and L. M. Speers jointly paid 
my salary, and they sent as pupils the children of their fam- 
ilies and such of their employes as could be admitted with the 
prescribed limit of attendance. This was truly a mixed school. 
Boys were reciting Yirgil preparatory to admission to Wash- 
ijigton college; one bright girl was studying botany, whilst some 
were in the alphabet. To hear talk about work in the school 
room now makes me sigh, when I think of those jubilant days 
of yore. ' Hope in the prow and pleasure at the helm, ' when 
the hours of the longest summer day were never tiresome or 
irksome amid the cheerful group that were always in step with 
the longest stride of my enthusiasm. 

''I had a large school of young ladies older than their 
teacher, and big boys of equal ages filled the seats around the 
walls, while scores of six year olds held down the little benches 
ill front of the master's desk. Professors were unknown in 
those days. It would have been Professor John Wilson of the 
Lagrange and Professor John B. (iould of (Tould's Hollow, 
and Professor Fred Cooper, who used to come on Saturday's 
from his scliool on Maple Creek and drown his school "sor- 
rows in the tlovvin bole," as Artemus Ward would say. Cooper 



356 The Old and New Monongahela. 

was a Hue scholarly fellow, six feet in height, erect and had 
the air and manners of a well-bred gentleman. 

Our school work was carried on without the help of the many 
valuable appliances which now abound in the hands of the 
skillful teachers of to-day ; yet with only primers I had my six 
year old tads reading in the first reader in six weeks. 

" Captain Jim French, the jolly skipper of the Swan and 
Bellevernon, and afterward of the Polly South, had his first- 
born in this class, and could attest the correctness of this state- 
ment. 

"I was in the height of sympathy with my work — my whole 
soul was in it, and 1 fairly got up early to see these young scions 
unfold the leaves of their mental growth, and note their pro- 
gress from night until the next morning roll-call, and herein 
lies the whole secret of the teacher's success — to love his charge 
with all his heart and soul and strength, letting his neighbor in 
other pursuits attend to his own business, and drive his school 
along to success when he gets it a-going, as Sheridan did his 
soldiers, not giving them time to halt, lie down or skulk."'" 

School Teachers and School Houses. 

Among the many persons who taught school in GouUrs Hol- 
low were John Wilson, deceased for many 3'ears, John B. 
Gould, dead only a few years, John Q. Robinson, who is at this 
time one of the most prominent medical men in Westmoreland 
county; has always resided in West Newton since conmienc- 
ing to practice his profession. J. H. Wilson whilst teaching 
here in 1856, was a resident of Washington county, but now 
resides near Chatsworth, Illinois. After teaching over thirty 
years retired from the profession. His mother was a sister of 
the late Nancy V . Davidson, whose maiden name was Palmer, 
and whose first husband was Samuel Reeves, the father of our 
fellow citizens Samuel and John Reeves and the late 
Mrs. J. M. Springer. 

Levi J. Jefries is now a citizen of Bellevernon. He was origi- 
nally a glasshouse boy. His fellow boys taught him the alphabet 
by means of letters made on the foot-benches with chalk. Within 



The Old and New Monongahela. 357 

three years afterwards his chalk-mark teachers were among his 
scholars dm'iiig the time he taught in the old Gould's Hollow 
school house. Sallie Gould married a man by the name of 
Morrison, and has been dead many years. She was the mother 
of Elmer Morrison, now a resident of Seldom Seen, adjoining 
the borough. Sarah Fulton graduated at Washington Female 
Seminary in 1857. She was the wife of Rev. J. H. Steven- 
son, of Mt. Carmel, III. She is deceased. George W. Nich- 
ols, after leaving this town, was long a resident of Lawrence- 
ville. Pa. He has been dead a number of years. A part of 
the house owned by the late J. W. Corwin used to stand on the 
corner of Main and Second streets, and it was utilized for a 
time as a school house. A man by the name of Adly taught 
here for awhile, and also A. J. Colvin, about the year 1848. 
Miss Vashti Budd, about 1849, had also a school in this build- 
ing. She was a cousin of John C. Hasson. Miss Florilla 
Tower had a select school in 1856 and a year or more subse- 
quent, perhaps, in the room for a long time known as the store 
room of Solomon Speers, but more recently it has been used as 
sitting room in the hotel known as the ]Ar)lcy house near the 
ferry. 

Tn 1857 the old school house on the hill and also the one at 
Gould's were abandoned and sold, and the new brick building 
was erected on the lot now occupied by the beautiful residence 
of R. J. Linton, corner State and Short streets. It was a two- 
story building with two rooms on the first and one room on the 
second floor. It was built under the supervision of James 
Davidson and J. M. Springer as building committee of the 
school board of Washington township. Solomon Mereditli did 
the brick and Peter Snyder the carpenter work. The 
Vjrick were made in and shipped from California, in 
Washington county. The entire cost of the building 
was ^1327.18. It was first occupied in January, 1858, 
by John Wright and Miss Florilla Tower as teachers. In the 
fall of 1858, Mr. Ross W. Phillips and Miss Sallie Vanhook 
were elected teachers. In 1859 the same Mr. Ross was elected 

25 



358 The Old and Nevj Mommgahela. 

principal, but during the night after the first days school he 
mysteriously disappeared, leaving nothing to tell the reason for 
such conduct. Mr. E. C. Griffith was elected in his place. 
Having no record from this year until the incorporation of the 
borough, we cannot give in full the names of all the teachers, 
but we can recall the names of C. C. Baugh, John Hasson, 
Miss Mary Beazell, Miss Myra Fulton. Miss Beazell was the 
wife of J. P. Cunningham, of Rostraver; she is now dead. 
Miss Fulton is the wife of Rev. E. P. Lewis, of St. Paul, Minn. 
Mr. Baugh has been in the mercantile business in Perrypolis 
and some other places. In the Enter'jyrise some time ago was 
published a full official list of all the teachers in the public 
schools of Bellevernon from the time of the incorporation in 
1863 to the present, to which we refer our reader. 

The records of Washington township have been lost or mis- 
laid prior to 184:1. In 1841 William Eberheart was elected 
school director, being the first from the village of Bellevernon. 
James Davidson, J. S. Van Yoorhis, J. M. Springer, and per- 
haps others whose names we cannot remember, have served as 
directors in the township. Below we give a list of the persons 
who have been directors of the borough since its organization: 
Robert Boyle, James Davidson, J. S. Van Voorhis, James 
French, John W. Wright, N. Q. Speers, James M. Springer, 
J. A. Piersol, Curtiss Reppert, O. D. Johnson, John Power, 
Jesse P. Sill, W. F. Speers, John Reeves, Henry Haler, Alex. 
Brown, J. W. Corwin, Anion Bronson, S. F. Jones, Church 
Porter, R. J. Linton, A. P. Lewis, A. A. Taggart, W. P. 
Mackey, J. H. Lewis, W. E. McCrory, Eli W. Martin, L. Z. 
Birmingham, Ephraim Lewis, J. B. Enos, E. M. Kyle, J. M. 
Bowell, John A. Acklin, W. H. Noble, S. M. Graham, Dr. 
A. N. Marston, Isaac Coldron, John Durst. 

The corps of teachers for 1892-93 consisted of Ira R. Smith, 
principal; Miss Carrie Greathead, Miss Ida Hug, Miss Clara 
Lang and Miss Spliar. 



The Old and New Monongaliela. 359 



The New Brick School Houses in Bellevernon. 

The growth of the town and increase of schohirs, seemed to 
demand greater accommodations in the building. June 17th, 
1869, resolutions were offered in the Board looking to the erec- 
tion of an additional building in the rear of the main building 
twenty-four bj thirty feet, two stories, to cost about $1800. 
The resolutions were referred to a committee consisting of O. 
D. Johnson, J. A. Piersol and James French, who reported on 
the 22nd of June the resolutions with very little modij&cation, 
and on motion they were adopted with one negative vote, 
James M. Springer. At a called meeting of the Board on 
June 25, the resolutions were re-considered and negatived. 
The failure of the project arose from opposition on the part of 
the citizens. The opposition was owing to the assessment of 
eighteen mills to ])ay for the additional rooms, and little did 
the grumblers think that in a verj^ few years a massive structure 
would go up requiring that amount of money to be levied for 
generations yet unborn. At a meeting January 22nd, 1872, 
at which were present James French, Henry Haler, J, A. 
Piersol, Anion Bronson and W. F. Speers, committee on 
legislation were appointed. 

June 14, 1872, J. W. Corwin was added as a new member 
to the board. 

The bill reported in its passage was so amended and changed 
as to only authorize a per capita tax, confining it to three 
years, and allowing the 'use for building pur])<^sos of the excess 
of school tax not used in carrying on the schools. 

In 1873 an act was passed authorizing the school board to 
borrow money at a rate not exceeding 8 per cent, after having 
exhausted the powers of the court in such cases provided. Of 
the 8 per cent bonds issued running fifteen years under this act, 
$5,500 at this date (August 29, 1887) remaining not due and 
un])aid. These will be due in 1888-89. 

In July, 1872, J. M. Springer and Captain W. F. Speer 



300 The Old and Neiv Monmgahela. 

were appointed a committee to ascertain a plan of building for 
a new school house, cost, specifications, etc., Haler, Springer, 
Bronson, Speers and Brown voting jea. 

August 5. — On motion Amon Bronson and Henry Haler were 
appointed to make arrangements with Samuel Bedsworth to burn 
brick for school house at $6 per 1,000. Committee on plan of 
school house reported a three-story building, two feet larger 
than the one at Fayette City. On motion W. F. Speer, Henry 
Haler and J. W. Corwin were appointed to offer for sale the 
old school house, and negotiate with J. A. Piersol for the pur- 
chase of his house and lots, subject to the approval of board. 

August 6. — Committee to see PiersoU reported in favor of 
purchasing his property at |3,000. The board unanimously 
received the report. 

August 16. — Committee on brick reported that they had 
bought 200,000 at six dollars per 1000 at the kiln. By a una- 
nimous vote it was resolved to instruct the committee on pur- 
chase of school property, to negotiate for the Hasson heirs pro- 
perty. On motion it was agreed that if the school house be 
sold on Saturday the 17th inst., that the conditions should be 
as recorded but fails to specify to whom it was sold and for 
what price. In another part of the record we discover it was 
sold to R. J. Linton, not naming the price in the minutes. 

December 12. — It was resolved to build the new school 
house sixty by seventy feet. On motion Brown, Speers and 
Corwin were appointed a committee to draw up specitications 
for both a two and three story building, and to i-eceive bids for 
both plans. On motion it was resolved to sell the Piersol pro- 
perty. December 26th, the specifications for school building 
as written out and presented were unanimously adopted, not 
stating whether for two or three stories or for both. January 
30th, 1873, the bids were opened and read as follows : — Wm. 
Coulter and A. A. Taggert, i{^13,l)90; Ziba Whiting, J{^14:,0(M); 
Samuel Daugherty and Larimerl, f 15, 650. 

February 14. — ^On motion the contract was awarded Wm. 
Coulter and A. A. Taggart at their bid, yeas Springer, Corwin, 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 361 

Speers, Bronson, Brown and lialer. The committee made sale 
of the old house on Hasson lots and the Piersoll property to 
Amon Bronson, the former for $150 and the latter for $2810. 

March 31st an order was issued in favor of Hasson 's heirs 
for $1450, which seems to be the price paid for the two lots 
corner of Wood and Third streets on which the new buildine 
was erected. 

June 2, 1873, S. F. Jones was elected instead of Haler, and 
W. F. Speers re-elected members of the board. June 25, S. 
F. Jones and J. M. Springer were appointed to superintend the 
building of the new school house, and July 19 Amon Bronson 
was added to the committee. August 25 J. M. Springer re- 
signed his seat in the board, and August 30 Church Porter was 
appointed in his place. We have not been able to find in the 
record the exact cost of the new school house, including the 
fixtures and furniture, but from all the information we can 
gather the total cost was not far from $30,000. 

September 17, 1873, J. W, Gibbons was elected princip'al of 
the first school in the new building at a salary of $80 per month; 
H. T. Baily was elected to room No. 2 at a salary of $60 per 
month; Theo. J. Allen to No. 3, wages $45, and Miss Hattie 
Davidson to room No. 4, wages $45. This school house has 
been subject to much severe criticism. The plan, the, size 
and cost, have all undergone an ordeal of complaint. In many 
particulars the building has faults, but perhaps the board did 
all for the best, as things were seen at that time. Then every- 
thing was carried on under a high pressure. 

The Bellevernon Academy. 

The Bellevernon Academy was founded in 1842 by Noah W. 
Speers. The Academy occupied the stone house then owned 
by said Speers, and now by John Gibson's Son & Co. William 
Eberheart in his day remodeled and improved it for his dwell- 
ing, and more recently it, under the above firm, has been still 
more modernized, and now is the beautiful residence of Captain 
T. L. Daly, superintendent of the Gibsonton mills, located in 



362 The Old and New Monongahela. 

the vicinity. The late T. R. Hazzard, a native of New York, 
was the principal; he was an accomplished scholar, and stood 
in the front rank as a teacher. At the founding of this school 
he was considered the most siiccessfnl classical educator in the 
Monongahela Valley, and did more perhaps than any other one 
man to foster in the youth of the valley a desire for a thorough 
academical course of education. Whilst principal of this acad- 
emy he lived in the house now owned by Conrad Metz, on the 
corner of Main street and Cherry alley. In this house was born 
his son Joseph de Vernon, named in honor of this town. He 
was a soldier in the late war, coming out of it minus an arm. 

He is now a prominent orange grower in the state of Florida. 
T. R. Hazzard had for his assistants in the academy, Wm. F. 
Hamilton, now a distinguished Doctor of Divinity in the Pres- 
byterian church. He now resides in Washington, Pa. Among 
the students of this school are some very prominent public 
actors. Dr. J. C. Cooper, a prominent physician of Philadel- 
phia, the late Hon. Demas M. Letherman an ex-member of the 
Pennsylvania Legislature, who was the father of Dr. J. A. 
Letherman, of California, Dr. John H. Storer, of Triadelphia, 
West Virginia, who ranks in the front of the medical men of 
the State, Dr. R. NicoUs, now retired among the wealthy men 
of Bloomington, 111., the late Hon. George W. Mcllvain, ex-chief 
Justice of Ohio, who was looked upon as one of the most dis- 
tinguished jurists in that or any other state of the Union, the 
Fuller boys, now the largest cattle dealers in Philadelphia, N. 
C and Ephraim Blaine, brothers of ex-Secretary Blaine of the 
state of Maine, were students at this Academy. 

T. R. Hazzard, Esq., was a member of the Washington bar 
for nearly forty years; was more than once elected Burgess and 
Justice of the Peace in his adopted City of Monongahela, and 
was a very active and influential member of the late Constitu- 
tional Convention. He died September 3, 1877, his wife fol- 
lowed him on March 10th, 1887. They left to mourn their 
loss four sons, Chill W., the accomplished and talented editor 
of the Monongahela Rei^uhUcan; J. De Vernon, of whom we 



The Old and Ne%o Mmiongahela. 363 

have spoken above; John J., connected with one the banks of 
rittsbnrgh, and Thos. L., one of Allegeny City's prominent 
physicians and a professor in the Western Pennsylvania Medi- 
cal College, located in Pittsburgh. Owing to circumstances 
of which we have no special knowledge, the proprietor closed 
the Academy a few years after its founding, and removed to 
Cincinnati, where he had been for many years an active business 
man. N. W. Speers is now a resident of Memphis, Tenn. He 
and Jacob are the only surviving members of the family of 
Noah Speers, the founder of Bellevernon. 

Post Office and Telegraph. 

We wrote to the Department to ascertain at what time the 
Bellevernon post office was established, but failed to get a 
reply to the request. It seems to have been established about 
1830, or perhaps a few years prior to this date. Solomon 
Speers was the first postmaster, and kept the office on the cor- 
ner of Water and First street, in the well known brick house 
now used as a hotel. The same case of alphabetical boxes 
then obtained is still in use. Uriah Ward, who had been in 
the employ of Speers as a clerk, succeeded him in 1836 as 
post master. Ward was succeeded by Wm. Eberheart, the 
well-known glass manufacturer, who kept the office in the brick 
store room, corner of Water street and Cherry alley. John 
Mullin was next in office. He had the office in his store room 
on the corner of Main street and Cherry alley, where now 
stands the beautiful three story building of A. A. Taggart. It 
was during his term that the office was broken into and the 
letters carried into a corn field on the hill and destroyed. 
Stephen Whetsel was arrested for the robbery and tried in the 
U. S. Court at Pittsburgh, but the evidence was not sufficient 
to convict him. It remains a mystery to this day who commit- 
ted the deed. 

John Mullin was succeeded by James R. Davidson, some- 
where about the year 1855-56. He had the office in the brick 
store room corner of Main and Second streets now occupied by 



3G4 The Old and New Monongahela. 

Browns" Pharmacy. James R. Davidson is now a prominent 
lawyer of Hillsboro, Henry county, Iowa, was succeeded in 
time by J. B. McKennan, Robert Boyle, L. R. Boyle, James 
Davidson, Jas. Haggerty, and the present postmaster, L. M. 
Kyle. Jas. Davidson was in office from 1869 to 1885. Even 
within the recollection of the writer postage was rated accord- 
ing to the number of sheets of paper and the distance carried. 
There were no stamps in early days. The postage on letters 
run up from 6 J cents or a fip, \'i\ cents or a levie, 18f cents 
and 25 cents to be prepaid or not, as people determined. It 
was considered a breach of etiquette to prepay a letter. Prior 
to the establishment of the post office the Bellevernon people 
received their mail at Cookstown which office had been erected 
in 1813. The mail was carried on horseback and it was con- 
sidered a big thing to get it twice a week. We cannot find 
out who first carried the mail on this route but we do know 
that Richard Everson and James Kerr were two of the con- 
tractors, and that in 1847 the late Joseph Hassler, of Ros- 
traver, in person brought the mail to Bellevernon on every 
Tuesday and Saturday. The mail pouch resembled the old- 
time saddle-bags, and was thrown across the horse, the car- 
rier riding on it. Even in 1847 only a small mail was received 
at this office. Wm. Eberheart got most of the letters; a few 
copies of the Genius of Liherty^ the Pennsylvania Democrat, 
now the American Standai'd, the Presbyterian Advocate, now 
the Banner, the Christian Advocate and Morning Star, were 
received weekly. The Greensburg Herald was carried to the 
subscribers in Rostraver by Samuel Douglass who was em- 
ployed as private carrier. Outside of the cities daily papers 
were not often taken. Along in the early fifties Wm. Eber- 
heart took one daily paper, the first in the town, now 1893; 
the newsman sells 200 copies of the Pittsburgh dailies. 

In the early spring of 1865, James L. Shaw, through his in- 
dividual exertions, had formed the Monongahela Valley Tele- 
graph company, which erected the first line of telegraph along 
the Monongahela river. The office in Bellevernon was first 



The Old and New Monongahela. 365 

placed ill the store room of Harvey B. Frye, well known as 
Speers' corner. The first operator was Miss May Johnston and 
the present operator is Mrs. J. F. Frye. The office was opened 
on the 14th day of April, 1865, the day of the assassination of 
President Lincoln. The first message sent was as follows : 

"Bellevernon, Pa., April 14, 1865. 
"To Harvey Fleming^ Cookstown, Pa.: 

"What is Jane Hunter selling eggs at'^ Answer. 

"8 D. H. H. B. Fkye.^' 

Newspapers. 

The first effort at starting a newspaper in town was made by 
the youthful E. A. Hastings. In the winter of 1873-74 he 
printed a small sheet called the Young Patriot. The outgrowth 
of this effort was the establishing of the Bellevernon Patriot. 
E. A. Hastings was the editor and J. T. McAlpin associate. The 
first number was issued April 24, 1874. May 7, 1874, McAlpin 
retiring, E. A. Hastings assumed full control of the Patriot. 
The paper was published by McAlpin and Hastings in kind of 
alternate way until July 29, 1875, the date of the last issue. 
January 4, 1877, J. T. McAlpin obtained control of the Valley 
Leader press and issued No. 1, Vol. 1, of the Bellevernon 
Courier. He published this paper until June 13, 1878, when 
it ceased to live. The press was sold to a firm in Uniontown, 
and is now doing service in some office in Ohio. The writer 
has the Patriot and Courier complete, bound in one volume, 
which is an epitome of the local history of the town of that day. 

The Bellevernon Enterjyrhe was first issued on the 3rd day 
of April, 1886, by L. M. Truxal, and is now one of the fixtures 
of the town. 

The first persons married in the town were Miss Fannie 
Billiter and John Thompson, the ceremony being performed by 
William D. Mullin, Esq., in 1824. 



366 The Old and New Monongahela. 

Glass Works and Business Mgn in Belleveknon. 

The glass works have always been the prominent business of 
the town. The factory long known as the "old house," was 
commenced by Kendall & Patton, in 1834, but was completed 
and put in operation by William Eberheart in 1836. The 
venerable John S. Cams, now deceased, remembered very well of 
being present at the first blowing. Persons in large number from 
the surrounding country were in the factory to witness the op- 
eration of blowing glass. The cylinders or rollers were only 
large enough to make from six to nine lights of eight by ten. 
Mr. Cams lived at that time in the old log school house on the 
farm, then belonging to the late Samuel Jones, but now the lot 
owned by Henry Lang, near the colored church in Rostraver, 
Mr. Carnes could not recall to mind any of the blowers unless it 
be that of Chas. M. Coll, who he thought was among the 
number, and perhaps Gabler, Burk, Sedgwick, Benedict, 
Kimber, Goslin, Berry, Reddick, Downs and Denny. Griffith 
Wells, a well-known former citizen, now dead, was the first 
glass-cutter who worked at these works. Eberheart inherited 
his glass-making propensities from his fatherAdolph Eberheart, 
who carried on for many years in New Geneva, the works 
erected by the late Hon. Albert Gallatin. 

Each blower flattened his own glass iniwhat was called shove- 
down ovens. There were no snappers and second-handers — 
only the tending boys who were generally apprentices to the 
trade. They made six melts in a week and flattened the glass. 
At what time the upper house was built we cannot say positive- 
ly, but think it was about 1841. Financial troubles com- 
pelled Eberheart in 1853 to close up the business. The works 
were purchased by Geo. A. Berry, of Pittsburgh, and the busi- 
ness was revived under the firm of Geo. A. Berry & Co., 
which was in a few years merged into Geo. A. Berry, J. B. 
McKennan and Samuel Vanhook retiring, but remained agents 
for Mr. Berry, until he sold to Robert C. Schmertz & Co., in 
1865. This firm is still carrying on the works, which have 



The Old and Neio Monongahda. 367 

been enlarged and so improved as to hold thediighest rank in the 
United States. It is now a thirt j-pot establishment, employing 
near 200 men and boys. In the future (1887) natural gas will 
be used throughout the whole plant. The gas will be 
furnished by the Bellevernon Light and Heat Company from 
its .five wells in which R. C. Schmertz & Co. is the lar- 
gest stockholder. The firm employs the most skillful workmen 
in every department, and the glass turned out commands a 
ready market in every part of the United States. Kollers or 
cylinders are now made which cut forty-eight lights eight by 
ten inches. 

Hotel-keeper — A. C. Houseman, State road and Main street. 
In 1847, Tanner — A. P. Frye, Water and Second streets. The 
tan-yard was established by William Reeves in 1830. It was 
owned in succession by William Reeves, Alex, and John Big- 
ham, John Niccolls, A. P. Frye, J. W. Wright and W. C. 
Drum, during whose ownership it was abandoned as a tan-yard 
about the year 1866. It is now owned by the heirs of George 
Lang, deceased. Morgan Reeves was the first tanner. 

There was no justice of the peace, but 'Squire J. B. Gould in 
1847 did "all the law business," as he resided adjoining the 
the town. 

The first tailor in town was Billy Walker, who in 1836 had 
his shop in the house on the corner of Water and First streets. 

Milton Sloppy, the first harness-maker, had his shop in 
1857-58 in storeroom corner of Main and Second street, and he 
was succeeded in March, 1859, by W. P. Mackey, who had his 
shop in a room near Second on Main, where now Dr. Van 
Voorhis has his ofiice. 

Budd Gaskill was the first gunsmith. He had his shop in 
the rear part of the present Lang residence. Water street. He 
was succeeded by Wash. Everson, in the middle room of the 
old Taggart row on Main street below Strawberry alley. 

J. S. Van Voorhis, M. D., became a resident of Bellevernon 
May 25, 1847, and in 1893 is still in the town, having long 
since become one of its^fixtures. 



368 The Old and New Monongakela. 

The Odd Fellows' Hall Association of Belle Vernon was 
chartered by a decree of the Fayette county court, December 
1, 1879, with a capital stock of four thousand dollars, divided 
into shares of ten dollars each. The original stockholders 
were John Hackett, Samuel McKean, John S. Neil, John W. 
Wilkinson, W. B. McAlpin, John S. Sharpnack, J. S. Van- 
Voorhis, E. C. Guffy, Ephraim Lewis, A. L. Brown, L. K. 
Boyle. The first officers were, Trustees John Hackett, Sam- 
uel McKean and Ephraim Lewis; President, Samuel McKean; 
Treasurer, John W. Wilkinson, and Secretary, J. S. Van 
Voorhis. At a meeting of the stockholders October 21, 1879, 
the trustees were authorized to purchase lot 38 with the build- 
ing thereon well known as Speer's corner, in Bellevernon, from 
JohnW. Wilkinson, for the sum of 11,333.33^, the Associa- 
tion assuming the mortgages on said property. John W. Wil- 
kinson had purchased it at the sale of the assignee of L. M. &, 
W. F. Speer. This purchase by the Association was made 
prior to its incorporation, but became the legal property of the 
incorporated Association. 

This property in 1889 was sold to Wm. Jones and Lyia M. 
Graham, and the Association in the same year purchased from 
W. K. Wise 30 by 100 feet of the lot on corner of Main and 
Second streets, and in January, 1890, bought an additional 
five by 100 feet, making the lot 100 by 36 feet. On this lot 
during the summer of 1890, the Association erected a frame 
three story building. A. A. Taggart was the contractor. It 
is one of the most complete buildings in the town. 

The Grand Army Post. 

We are indebted to Joseph E. Nutt for the following sketch 
of General George D. Bayard Post, No. 178, of the G. A. R. 

June 24, 1880, was the red-letter day in the history of Belle- 
vernon, for military display and for the number thronging the 
streets of the old town who had carried the musket in defense 
of the Union in the dark days of 1861 to 1865. The early 
morn was ushered in by the booming of cannon and the en- 



The Old and New Monongahda. 309 

tliusing and stirring martial music of the life and drum. Why 
all this excitement in our staid old town 'i Why this hurrying 
to and fro, completing , preparations as though to withstand a 
besieging enemy momentarily expected to appear and demand 
the surrender of the fortress? Is grim-visaged war again 
abroad in our loved land, as twenty years ago demanding each 
patriotic father and mother to bring forth their most cherished 
treasures, their eldest and perhaps their only dependent for 
support on the sun set side of the hill of life^ 

Thanks to that kind Providence that led our heroes in blue 
through a series of splendid victories to a permanent peace, 
the answer comes, " We are not preparing for war " but are 
about to muster a Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
an organization composed exclusively of surviving Union sol- 
diers who took part in the war of the rebellion, were honora- 
bly discharged and on whom rests no stain of treason. The 
questions may be, and often are asked, why this organization? 
Are not its objects calculated to retard the healing of the 
broach between north and south, and to perpetuate the sec- 
tional feelings which in the past led to such terrible conse- 
([uences in the enormous sacrifices of blood and treasures? 
Again the answer comes, bearing tlic assurance that its mission 
is peaceful, and to any careful observer of the day, this fact is 
a])parent that there is no class that stood opposite each other 
across Mason and Dixon's line, that entertain a higher regard 
for or estimate at nearer the true value of each other as the ex- 
Pnion and ex-Confederate soldier class. The merits and sol- 
diery qualities recognized and acknowledged by either side 
only tends to give additional lustre to their own achievements, 
hence there can be no motive for the mcTi led by Grant, Sher- 
man, Sheridan and Meade, to withhold froiji the men led by 
i.ee, the Johnsons, Jackson and Longstreet, the credit due 
ilieir military daring and wonderful endurance, and vice versa. 

But there is in the heart of every old soldier an undefined 
feeling that binds him to every other one who shared like dan- 
gers and endured privations that cannot be appreciated by those 



3^T0 The Old and New Mon&nga/iela. 

inexperienced in such things, and though the person maybe 
despised in almost every other respect, the fact substantiated 
that he did noble duty, and was a "good soldier,^' 2;gi1" 
erally admits him to the honor and benefits of the order. 
Mutual interests make it necessary to organize, that the 
pledges of the country to those who sacrificed all their 
dearest idols, their hopes of distinction in their chosen pro- 
fessions, the best years of their bright young manhood may not 
stand a meaningless verbage on the nation's statute books. 

The old adage that "Republics are always ungrateful'" 
would have still held good in this case, had it not been for the 
influence brought to bear through the G. A. R., as nearly all 
the relief thus far obtained has been secured directly or indi- 
rectly through this agency, and even in local affairs to accom- 
plish anything in the w*ay of relieving cases of distress and 
want of soldiers or their families,- we could not, without organi- 
zation bring the matter so intelligently before the public and 
obtain the needed help, and right here be it said the appeal for 
such purposes, has never been in vain in this community. 

The people have always given enough and more than 
enough to accomplish the object on hand, and the balance was 
religiously placed in the fund reserved for similar future drafts 
which were sure to come. 

There was on the 24:th of June, 1880, three hundred old sol- 
diers in Belle vernon, and thanks to the liberality and patriotic 
sympathy of our town and vicinity, an elegant and sul)stantial 
dinner was spread for the immense crowd of visitors from other 
places and the surrounding country. The occasion was graced 
by the presence of (now Past Department Commander) Chill. 
W. Hazzard, F. H. Dyer, Capt. Tom. Gist, Capt. N. W. 
Truxal, Hon. J. K. Billingsby, and other distinguished Grand 
Army men whose names cannot now be recalled, and a full 
turn out of Henry Billingsby Post 168, and J. W. Stephens 
Post 168. The exercises and entertainments of the day passed 
very pleasantly, and in the evening the Post was duly mustered 
by the visiting comrades. Com. C. W. Hazzard, then De- 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 371 

partment Commander, acting as mustering officer, and Com. 
Tom. Gist as officer of the day. During the evening Com- 
rade F. H. Dyer gave a grand series of sciopticon views, which 
were explained by C. W. Hazzard, some of which were grandly 
instructive, others very fun provoking. 

The records of the first meetings of the Post are too much 
abridged to give a satisfactory account of the first year's work, 
even the roster of officers is not recorded. The charter mem- 
bers were as follows, viz: J. B. Thompson, John Dowlin, 
James W. Morgan, W. C. Johnson, Joseph T. Bell, W. S. 
Harvey, Jas. H. Acklin, W. H. Noble, John Fell, Thos. 
Scott, S. B. Miller, Geo. R. Waters, Pierson B. Luce, John 
W. Dean, Nathan Worrel, Wm. F. Boothe, Robt. Fields, 
Wm. Bunting, Isaac Coldren, J. E. Nutt, A. B. Lowes, John 
S. Reeves, W. F. Morgan, John H. Weaver, Stewart Patter- 
son. Comrade John B. Thompson was elected Post comman- 
der, and hence is the Sr. Post P. C. He chose for his Adju- 
tant Comrade W. H. Noble. Rev. A. B. Lowes was elected 
Chaplain, which important office he ably filled as long as he 
remained in the community. The Post adopted for its name 
that of Brigadier Gen. Geo. D. Bayard, who was the Colonel 
of the First Pennsylvania Reserve Calvary when it first took 
the field, was afterwards about the 1st of May, 1862, commis- 
sioned Brigadier General, and, ably in camp and in field led a 
brigade of calvary until on the 12th day of December, 1862, 
on the disastrous and ill-fated field of Fredericsburg, he 
poured out his rich young life blood on his country's alter. 
Being only 22 years of age he gave promise of a bright future, 
as a calvary leader, and had he lived it might not have been 
necessary to call Sheridan from the west to lead the calvary of 
the Army of the Potomac on those memorial campaigns which 
covered alike the leader and those led, with such a halo of 
glory that their deeds of valor are imperisliably fixed on the 
pages of the country's history. 

The term ending December 31, 1880, was a fairly prosper- 
ous one, some seven or eight recruits having been added to the 



372 The Old and JVeiv Monongahela. 

body of charter members. The roster of officers for 1881 was 
as follows: W. S. Harvey, Post Commander; L. R. Boyle, 
Sr. , Vice Commander; Wm. Boothe, Jr., Commander; W. H. 
Noble, Quarter-Master; J. W. Morgan, Adjutant; J. B. 
Thompson, officer of the day; Joseph Bell, officer of the 
guard; Rev. A. B. Lowes, Chaplin. During this term the 
Post procurred the necessary order for the admission of, and 
sent a comrade with the orphan children of Comrades Isaac 
Hammitt and Chas. Hixenbaugh, to the Soldiers Orphan 
School near Uniontown at Jummonville. The Post was not 
very successful in recruiting new members during the year 
1881, but three were mustered during this year, events trans- 
pired which stirred to their depths the hearts of every member 
of the patriotic frateriuty. In the midst of the enthusiasm of 
celebrating our great national holiday, the news reached us 
that our most distinguished comrade and honored President, 
James A. Garfield, was stricken down by the hand of the 
assassin. Words cannot picture the chill of horror or determ- 
ination to have full justice meted out to the miserable wretch 
who committed the foul deed. As soon as it could be attended 
to a committee was appointed and resolutions of sympathy and 
condolence drafted and forwarded to the wounded President, 
of which the following is a copy: 

Whereas, our comrade, his excellency, the President of the 
United States, has been stricken down by the hand of a cowardly 
assassin, which act has secured and merited universal condemna- 
tion throughout the civilized world; therefore, 

EeHolvt'd^ That we, the members of General G, D. Bayard 
Post, No. 178, of Bellevernon, Fayette county. Pa., do de])lore 
this terri])le national calamity, and wc do hereby extend to our 
wounded comrade our heartfelt sympathy, and we do most 
earnestly hope for his speedy recovery. Signed, 

W. S. Hakvey, p. C. 

W. H. Noble, Adjutant y>yv> teni. 

The following is the reply secured from the private secretary 
of President GarHold : 



The Old and JVew Mojiongahela. 373 

Executive Chamber, 
Washington, D. C, August 1, 1881. 

Dertr Sirs — The resolutions adopted by your association, ex- 
pressive of the sympathy and condolence which its members 
feel with the President and his family in the great calamity 
which has befallen them, have been received. In acknowledg- 
ing their receipt, permit me to assure you that it will afford me 
great pleasure at the most favorable and opportune time, to 
invite the attention of the President to this gratifying action on 
the part of your organization. In the meantime, expressing 
the thanks of the President for this courtesy, I am, yours very 
respectfully, I. Stanley Brown, 

Private Secretary. 

I. O. O. F. 

Belle Yernon Lodge No. 656, I. O. O. F., was instituted at 
Belle Vernon, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon 
of March 26, 1869, by Special D. D. G. M., LT. L. Clemmer, 
of Triumph Lodge No. 613, assisted by P. G. Master Alfred 
Slack, of Pittsburgh, then a candidate for G. W. of the Grand 
Lodge of Pennsylvania; P. G. Patriarch Sholes, of the same 
city, then Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Penn- 
sylvania; D. D. G. M., J. Mullin, of Allegheny county, and a 
large number of visiting brothers from Lodges Nos. 51, 377, 491, 
511 and 613. The meeting was called to order by 1). G. M. 
Clemmer, and the names of the charter members being called 
were as follows: P. G. M. Alter, P. G. Samuel McKean, 
Bros. A. P. Lewis, R. C. Byers, Noah Speers, J. M. Springer, 
John T. Stciner, J. H. Lewis, T. F. Lewis, Milton Lanehart, 
G..y. Abel, J. S. Van Voorhis, J. B. Thompson, J. W. 
Dean, W. French, C. A. Patterson, J. Gould, W. Bright, R. 
J. Patton, R. K. Feuster, J. S. Bolsinger and E. L. Hyatt. 

After the usual ceremonies the charter was read and the 
Belle Vernon Lodge No. 656, was duly constituted. The elec- 
tion for officers resulted in the choice of R. C Byers, N. G.; 
J. S. Van Voorhis, V. G. ; Samuel McKean, Secretary; A. P. 

26 



374 The Old and New Monongahela. 

Lewis, Assistant Secretary, and J. M, Springer, Treasurer. 
In the evening J. H. Weaver, J. E. Hixenbaugh, E. E. 
Stickel, J. F. Reed, J. H. Hixenbaugh and O. D. Johnson 
were initiated, being the first under the charter. J. B. Foulk 
was the first admitted by card. During the year 1869, twen- 
ty-three were initiated and twenty-five admitted by card, in- 
cluding charter members; withdrawn by card, four; leaving 
January 1, 1870, a membership of forty-four. 

January 1, 1875, the lodge had a membership of 101, 
and in 1893 the same number. January 31 of this year 
the building in which the meetings were held was burned, 
destroying nearly everything belonging to the lodge, includ- 
ing the charter, the whole loss being estimated at ^1,200. 
The following persons have filled the oftice of Noble Grand 
since its institution, viz.: R. C. Byers, J. S. Yan Voorhis, 
A. P. Lewis, J. B. Thompson, J. M. Springer, J. E. Hix- 
enbaugh, J. F. Reed, J. H. Weaver, F. Hixenbaugh. A. G. 
Beazell, George Treasure, John Wilkinson, N. Speers, J. 
Hackett, W. C. Kittle, G. Amalong, M. Lanehart, J. F. Young, 
R. C. Gufty, G. Y. Abel, W. S. Harvey, E. S. Young, Will- 
iam Yaughan, L. R. Boyle, W. B. McAlpin, J. W. Morgan, 
J. H. Eller, Hugh Price, Ad. Young, Samuel Houseman, L. 
Thompson, Leightty Steen, J. A. Neil, George F. Gulp, W. H. 
Neil, Charles Clegg, C. C. Hammett, Wni. Corwin, John Gray, 
W. H. Hammett, Oliver Hixenbaugh, S. M. Warrensford, 
Anthony Hugg, J. R. Bovard, C. M. Jones, M. F. Packer, Wm. 
Eller and J. B. Shawman. We can recall the names of the fol- 
lowing P. G.s who have served as representatives to the Grand 
Lodge, viz.: M. Alter, Samuel McKean, A. P. Lewis, J. B. 
Thompson, J. M Springer, J. W, Morgan, Leightty Steen, 
E. S. Young, L. Thompson and I. N. Neil. Samuel McKean 
and J. M. Springer have each served one year as district deputy 
grand master. With the exception of one year, Samuel McKean 
had served as secretary from the institution of the lodge until 
April, 1890, when E. S. Young was elected. The lodge held 
its first meetings in a hall in Kittle's building, in the second 



The Old and NeiJj Monongahela. 375 

story ; then occupied a room over Springer's store room on 
Main street, below Strawberry alley. The meetings were held 
here when the fire occurred. For years after the fire the lodge 
used the hall in the third story of Kittle's building, and in 
1886 the lodge rented Corwin's hall on Main street. The 
lodge is now made up of seventy-one members. Its financial 
standing has always been good. It holds $2,900 stock in 
the Odd Fellows Hall Association; the paraphernalia and 
furniture is estimated at 1^1,500, and a respectable balance 
in the treasury October 1, 1893. The lodge had paid out for 
the relief of the sick and widow and orphan funds from Janu- 
ary, 1871:, to October 1, 1887, the sum of |3,712. Owing to 
the loss of the records by the fire we are not able to give the 
amount from 1869 to 1874, but no doubt the same proportion 
held good. 

Maple Grove is the name of the Encampment instituted 
shortly after the lodge was and is made up of third degree 
members of the lodge, or rather such of them as may apply 
for membership and be accepted. The Encampment holds 
|^400 of stock in the Hall Association above named. 

Other Lodges. 

Monongahela Lodge No. 362, Knights of Pythias, was or- 
ganized June 13, 1872. 

The first Division of the sons of Temperance in the town 
was Belle Vernon Division No, 286, instituted by D, G. W. 
P., James Piper, September 22, 1847. It ceased to exist 
about 1852. The present Division, No. 147, was organized 
Sept; 24, 1885, and meets in Odd Fellows' Hall every Tues- 
day evening. In addition to those organizations already 
named, we have a variety of other societies and institutions 
such as Accomac Tribe of Red Men, Knights of Labor, 
Council 531 of the Royal Arcanum, IT. S. Benevolent Frater- 
nity, Ethan Allen Council 355, O. IT. A. M., Western Coun- 
cil No. 79, Junior O. U. A. M., Equitable Aid Union, W. C. 
T. P., L. and O. Society, M. E. Lyceum, Presbyterian Mite 



376 The Old and Neio Monongahela. 

Society, Presbyterian Happy Band, the Baptist Social, Foreign 
Missionary Societies of the different churches, Conamore Club, 
Cornet Band, Drum Corps. As place of amusement we have 
the opera house, skating rink, and the public halls are Taggart's, 
Bronson's and the school hall. 

Natural Gas History, 1887. 

R. C. Schmertz during the past three years has drilled three 
gas wells. Two of these are located on the low land just 
above the town outside the borough limits; the other one on 
Speer's run, near the old Johnson mill site, on the farm form- 
erly owned by L. M. Speer, but now by S. F. Jones & Co. 
R. C. Schmertz also purchased from the Belle Yernon Light 
and Heat Company the well on the high land above the green 
house of Samuel McKean, about a half mile from town in Roe- 
traver township. All of these four wells have been piped to 
the glass works, and at this date, October 16, 1887, all of the 
ten pot furnaces are run with natural gas. 

The Bellevernon Heat and Light Company was organized 
under a charter granted by the Governor of this Commonwealth 
bearing date March 15th, 1886. The corporators were R. C. 
Schmertz and one of his sous, S. F. Jones, R. J. Linton and 
T. L. Daly. The company during the year 1886 drilled 
the well sold to R. C. Schmertz above mentioned, and 
drilled a well of very great pressure on the farm of J. B. 
Carson, in Washington county, one mile from the Mononga- 
hela river at Maple Creek. The company laid pipe from this 
latter well to Bellevernon and Gibsonton Mills, crossing the 
river a short distance above the mouth of Maple Creek. The 
pipe is laid along the river shore on the east side to the up})cr 
end of the town. The object of the company was to supply 
Gibsonton, Bellevernon and the vicinity with natural gas as 
fuel for manufacturing and domestic use to take the place of 
coal. The right of way for the pipe was granted to the com- 
pany by the Borough authorities on certain conditions of which 
we are not informed. 



The Old and New Monongahela. 377 

On the 7tli day of October, 1887, K. J. Linton introduced 
the use of natural gas into his dwelling, being the first to use 
it in the town as fuel. 

Bellevernon Electric Heat and Light Company. 

This company was chartered by the Governor May 27, 1892. 
The corporators were J. C. Cunningham, Thomas G. Brown, 
A. L. Brown, Isaac S. Van Yoorhis and J. S. Van Voorhis. 
Directors for 1893 : A. L. Brown, Thomas G. Brown, J. S. 
Van Voorhis and Isaac S. Van Voorhis. Treasurer, J. C. 
Cunningham. 

Bellevernon Water Company. 

This company was chartered by the Governor May 27, 1892, 
for the purpose of furnishing water for Bellevernon and terri- 
tory adjacent thereto. The incorporators and officers for 1893 
are same as the Electric Heat and Light Company. 

Bellevernon Bridge Company. 

The design of this company is to construct a wagon and foot 
bridge across the Monongahela river at Bellevernon. The 
company was incorporated February 11th, 1891. The Act of 
Congress authorizing the construction was passed in February, 
1893. The corporators were S. F. Jones, J. S. Jones, S. C. 
Speers, Charles P. Speers, Thomas P. Grant, J. S. Van 
Voorhis, J. C. Cunningham, Isaac S. Van Voorhis, A. L. 
Brown, T. L. Daly, R. J. Linton and W. «!. Manown. 

Directors for the year 1893: J. S. Van Voorhis, T. L. 
Daly, Isaac S. Van Voorhis and Thomas P. Grant. Treasurer, 
S. F. Jones. Secretary, J. S. Jones. 

First National Bank of Bellevernon, 

\ Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 
I Washington, February 7th, 1893. 

Whereaa^ by satisfactory evidence presented to the under- 
signed, it has been made to appear that the First National 



378 The Old and Nev) Monongahela. 

Bank of Bellevernoii, in the town of Bellevernon, in the county 
of Fayette, and state of Pennsylvania, has complied with all 
the provisions of the Statutes of the United States required to 
be complied with before an association shall be authorized to 
commence the business of banking. 

N(y)v^ therefore., I, Alonzo Barton Hepburn, Comptroller of 
the Treasury, do hereby certify that the First National Bank 
of Bellevernon, in the town of Bellevernon, in the county of 
Fayette, and state of Pennsylvania, is authorized to commence 
the business of banking, as provided in section fifty-one hundred 
and sixty-nine of the revised Statutes of the United States. 

Ill testimony lohereof witnessed my hand and seal of office, 
this 7th day of February, 1893. 

A. B. Hepburn, 

[seal.] Comptroller of Currency. 

The officers for the current year are as follows: Directors, 
S. M. Graham, J. S. Henry, M. G. Finley, P. G. Patton, 
Samuel Thompson, S. E. Taylor, W. J. Manown, Joseph A. 
Cook and K. J. Linton. President, W. J. Manown; Vice 
President, R. J. Linton; Cashier, Joseph A. Cook; Assistant 
Cashier, Frank Z. Taylor. Capital, |50,000. 

Cleveland Coal Company. 

The Cleveland Coal Company has its works a short distance 
above Bellevernon and is largely engaged in shipping coal by 
railroad. Large tracts of coal land have been purchased by 
different parties along Speer's Run and the "Middle Forks," 
which will be operated through a lateral railroad along said 
run, a survey of which has already been made. This lateral 
railroad is supposed to have in view a connection with a bridge 
connecting Charleroi, and thus the coal company will have the 
advantages of shipment by either the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie 
Railroad or the Pennsylvania. 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 379 

RoMANA Land Company. 

This company was incorporated in 1892. It holds in fee. 
simple the farm owned for many years by the late Samuel 
Clarke, a short distance above Bellevernon, on the opposite 
side of the river. Among the prominent stockholders are S. 
M. Graham and Joseph S. Jones, of Bellevernon. It is the 
intention of the company to lay out the bottom land in town 
lots, and they have already had inducements which almost 
guarantee the location of large manufacturing establishments. 
There is no doubt but these beautiful bottom lands will in the 
near future furnish the location of very important business in- 
terests, as few places offer more eligible situations or more 
favorable terms. Komana is destined to be a great hive of 
industry. 

The main street in Bellevernon was paved with brick during 
the summer of 1893. 

Washington and Westmoreland Ferry Company. 

This company was incorporated in 1893 to conduct a ferry 
between Charleroi in Washington county, and Rostraver town- 
ship in Westmoreland county. Under the supervision of John 
W. Ii'ons it has already become a successful convenience to 
the public, and will be in a short time a source of revenue to its 
stockholders. 

The Militia, Fourth of July, Temperance, Centennial 
AND Railroads. 

The old militia system came to an end in this state in 1846, 
about the time of the breaking out of the Mexican war. The last 
company of militia to which citizens of Bellevernon belonged was 
commanded by John R. Wilson, now of Uniontown. The law 
required every able-bodied male citizen to be enrolled between 
the ages of 18 and 45 years, and subject to duty under a pen- 
alty of one dollar for each day absent from muster. In the 
last days of the law the fine was reduced to fifty cents. On 



380 The Old and New Monongahela. 

the first Monday of May each company had to muster, and 
about the first of June the general or regimental parade took 
place. The little muster was held for this neighborhood a* 
Cookstown and the general muster at Col. Billy Patterson's, 
some distance above that place, in Jefferson township. The 
militia was made up of companies commanded by a Captain, 
with a First and Second Lieutenant ; of regiments with their 
Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major and Adjutant ; of brigades 
made up of regiments and commanded by Brigadier Generals ; 
of divisions in command of Major Generals. There was also 
a Brigade Inspector in each county. These officers were gen- 
erally well uniformed and presented a very fine appearance. 
Uniformed volunteer companies were not uncommon in early 
days. Any person serving seven years in one of such compa- 
nies was exempt from military duty unless in time of war. 

In the early forties the Washington Cavalry was in the pride 
of existence. It was made up of the best men in the community. 
John Ong was its captain until he removed west, then Jacob 
Wolf, still living on Redstone, succeeded in the office. James 
Cope, now a dentist, was first lieutenant; Richard Latta, orderly 
sergeant. Among the members of the company were Pierson 
Cope, Samuel Galloway, Joseph Galloway, Jacob Housman, 
the bugler, the Ellet boys, Jacob McLain, Lewis Krepps, Bazil 
Brightwell, James McCrory, Edward, William and Crawford 
Cook. The company had caps with the ostrich feathers; blue 
coats trimmed with red. 

The Monongahela Blues was a company of footmen com- 
posed of citizens of Cookstown, Bellevernon and the surround- 
ing country. James Hagerty and others from this vicinity 
belonged to the company. William Krepps was the first 
captain and Joseph Shepler was the last. The company was 
disbanded before the breaking out of the Mexican war. The 
uniform of this company was white pants, blue coats trimmed 
with white, a heavy bell crowned leather cap with a white plume 
tipped with red. Each one carried an old fashioned flint lock 
musket, well polished, a cartridge box on one side and a bay- 



The Old and Neio Monongaliela. 381 

onet sheath on the other, suspended to huge straps on each 
shoulder. Somewhere about 1840 these companies named 
above, with the Jackson Guards from Monongahela City, and 
others whose names have been forgotten, had a grand celebra- 
tion on the 4:th of July in a grove near the residence of the late 
Robert Patterson. 

The dinner was served on the lot now owned by Geo. Yer- 
non, corner of Wood street and Strawberry alley. The Dec- 
laration of Independence was read by the late Dr. O. D. 
Todd. David Smith, a revolution soldier, was present. He 
was the grandfather of Mrs. Robert Patterson. His remains 
repose in Rehoboth graveyard. On the breaking out of the 
late rebellion the town was well represented in the army. 
Hillery Miller was the first to enlist. He enlisted in Capt. R. 
F. Cooper's company of three months men, and within two 
weeks after the call of the President for troops, April 15, 1861, 
the company was in active service. Jeremiah Huttenhour, 
killed at Petersburg, June 18, 1864, was the only one from 
the town killed in battle, others were wounded and some died 
in hospitals and at home from the effects of service. Among 
many who volunteered early in the war we recall the names of 
Michael Dolan, John Young, Wm. Bunting, Geo. W. Beam, 
John Fell, Joseph Wiltsie, Joseph T. Beall, J. W. Dean, 
Chas. Hixenbaugh, Jesse Strickland, S. B. Miller. 

Among the many large meetings held in the town in its his- 
tory none perhaps were greater than on the 29th day of May, 
1848, at which there was a Bible presented by the ladies to 
Division No. 286, Sons of Temperance. The book was given 
in the name of the ladies by the late Rev. J. G. Sanson, and 
was received on the part of the Division by Dr. J. S. Yan 
Yoorhis. An original ode on the Bible written by Miss Re- 
becca Yan Yoorhis, now of Spearville, Kansas, was sung by 
the ladies. The speech of the day was delivered by J. Rob- 
inson Elder, at that time editor of the Temjyeranee Banner, 
and one of the most eloquent orators of his day. 

The centennial of the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 



382 The Old and New Monongahela. 

pendence was celebrated jointly July 4, 1876, by the citizens 
of Bellevernon, Fayette City and surrounding neighborhoods. 
The meeting was held in Springer's grove, midway between 
the two towns on the hill road. It was estimated to be the 
largest assembly of people ever held in the Forks. Old and 
young of both sexes were congregated to do honor to the day. 
Rev. Marcus W. Wishart, then pastor of Rehoboth, presided 
over the meeting. Samuel McKean, as grand marshall of the 
day, with his aids, had charge of the procession. Dr. J. S. 
Van Voorhis delivered the historical address which was listened 
to with very great attention by the immense crowd. In the 
afternoon the pleasure was very much interfered with by a 
severe rain storm. 

In 1852 there was a prospect of the Hempfield railroad 
crossing the river at this place in its route from Greensburg to 
Wheeling. Hon. T. M. T. McKennan, president of the 
road from the steps of the residence of Solomon Speers 
delivered an address on the subject, and regarded the 
route with favor. The Mingo route, via Monongahela 
City, was adopted, and after a very large sum of money had 
been lavishly expended, the portion east of Washington was 
abandoned. In 1873, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com- 
pany having purchased the Hempfield, changed its route from 
Washington to a point near Layton"s station, on its Connells- 
ville branch. 

A vast deal of work was done on the route including the 
deep cut on the other side of the river from Bellevernon, and 
a magnificent bridge located to pass from hill to hill over the 
lower end of Main street and in the midst of apparent pros- 
pect of an early completion, the work was in May, 1874, 
abandoned. Sometime subsequent to this date last mentioned, 
a charter was obtained for a railroad to be run from Bellever- 
non to a point on the Connellsville railroad, near Amieville be- 
low West Newton. After suflicient stock had been subscribed 
and a survey made, the project was given up and court dis- 
solved the company. At this date, 1883, a charter has been 



The Old and New Monongahela. 383 

obtained for a railroad from McKeesport to this place, and the 
prospect for its early completion is favorable. The town is 
shut out from the transportation facilities which its business de- 
serves. The glass works products and raw material are taken 
across the river by a private ferry in charge of the firm, also 
the transportation to and from the Gibsonton' distillery is 
carried on by a rope ferry in charge of S. C. Speer. The pub- 
lic ferry owned by Noah Speers is now worked by a wire rope 
and is the best conducted and safest ferry on the Monongahela 
river. 

North Bellevernon. 

It is situated in Westmoreland county, adjoining the borough 
of Bellevernon, in Fayette county. It was laid out by the late 
L. M. Speers. On the original plan of lots we find the follow- 
ing note, viz: Diagram or plan of lots laid off by L. M. 
Speers, situated on Bellevernon hill, second addition partly in 
Westmoreland and partly in Fayette counties, April 9th, 1872, 
D, B. H. Allen, Surveyor. On the 23rd day of October, A. 
D. 1875, a petition was presented to the Westmoreland county 
court for the incorporation into a borough of that part of North 
Bellevernon, within said Westmoreland county, bounded and 
limited as set forth in said charter. February 26th, 1870, the 
court issued a decree incorporating said borough, and ordered 
that the first election be held at the school house in said borough 
on the 6th day of May, 1876, between the hours of one and six 
o'clock p. m. To hold said election, the court appointed 
Samuel Dougherty, Judge; Frank Morgan and Thomas Hunt, 
Inspectors. In the absence of a school house, this election was 
held in S. Dougherty's carpenter shop, which was used for a 
school house. The election board appointed A. G. Vanhook 
and W. R. Springer, clerks. 

This, the first election, resulted in the choice of the follow- 
ing persons for the different offices: Burgess, W. R. Springer; 
Justice of the Peace, Samuel Dougherty; Council, Beter Cor- 
win and Thomas Hunt for two years; John S, Henry and J. C. 



384 The Old and Nevj Monongahela. 

Hasson for three years; Francis Keistler and Samuel Dougher- 
ty for one year; School Directors: for one year, Thos. Hunt 
and Wm. Jones; two years, Samuel Dougherty and Francis 
Keistler; three years, J. A. Fiersoll and John S. Henry; 
Judge of Election, Samuel Dougherty; Assessor, J. S. Henry; 
Assistant Assessors, J. C. Hasson and Thos. Hunt. The first 
meeting of the council was held in Dougherty's carpenter shop, 
June 2, 1876. John S. Henry was elected President; J. C. 
Hasson, Secretary; Thos. Hunt, Treasurer, and Peter Corwin, 
Street Commissioner. 

The first borough tax was one and one half mills, and was 
levied July 27, 1876. The first code of ordinances was adopted 
August 18 and September 12. J. C. Hasson was elected Col- 
lector. Among the many persons elected to the more import- 
ant ofiices we note from the record the names of W. R. 
Springer, Samuel Dougherty, A. C. Dougherty, Thos. Hunt 
and Wm. Jones for Burgess. For Justice, Samuel Dougherty, 
J. A. Piersoll, J. E. Nutt, Thos. Hunt, Wm. Jones, R. L. 
Weller and J. S. Reeves. Several of these did not take out 
their commissions. W. R. Springer, under a commission bear- 
ing date of March 13, 1875, was the first acting Justice, being 
elected in the township of Rostraver prior to the incorporation 
of the borough. 

For Council we note the names of Peter Corwin, J. S. Henry, 
F. M. Keistler,, Samuel Dougherty, J. C. Hasson, Wm. Jones, 
J. E. Nutt, C. A. Patterson, R. L. Weller, John L. Housman, 
Leroy Bedsworth, Isaac H. Shepler, E. M. Kyle, John T. 
Gould. The present Council, 1887, consists of J. S. Henry, 
John T. Gould, F. M. Keistler, J. C. Hasson, E. M. Kyle 
and R. L. Weller. The School Directors named above held 
their first meeting June 6, 1876, but the record does not state 
where. The Board was organized by electing Wm. Jones, 
President; J. S. Piersoll, Secretary; Wm. Jones, Treasurer; and 
Thos. Hunt Collector. The first assessment for the borough as 
returned by the assessor amounted to |48,369. The rate for 
1876 was fixed at 5 mills each for school and building purposes. 



The Old and Nevi Monongahela. 385 

The lot corner Grant and Henry streets was purchased from 
L. M. Speers for a school house. The office of president and 
treasurer being incompatible, Wm. Jones, July 17, 1876, re- 
signed the office of treasurer and S. F. Jones was elected in 
his place, and at the same date Homer Hunt was awarded the 
contract for building the new school bouse, for the sum of 
^854.81. August 3, 1876, J. C. Hasson was elected teacher 
for the fall and winter term. September 29, 1876, school 
house reported completed according to contract. The term of 
school was fixed to begin on the second Monday of October, 
and the salary |45 per month. 

November 30th, a joint meeting of the directors and those 
of Lagrange was held at Lagrange, to which district this town 
belonged before the formation of the borough, and resulted in 
arranging matters so that the funds on hand should be equally 
divided between the two districts, the whole amount being 
$680.75, one-half going into the treasury of each district. May 
4th, 1877, on first settlement in the district, whole amount of 
money received during the year was $1,333.65, amount paid 
out $1,224.51, Balance in treasury $109.14. 

John S. Henry, J. A. Piersoll, Thomas Hunt, Samuel 
Dougherty, F. M. Keistler, William Jones, J. E. Nutt, Peter 
Corwin, R. C. Guffy, John W. Goslin, 'L. H. Reeves, Isaac 
H. Sheplcr, James Ferguson, W. R. Springer, R. L. Weller, 
William Jones, have been directors. As teachers, John C. 
Hasson, F. R. Hall, Leightty Steen, W. Y. Barnum, Miss 
Bowman, Clara Lang, Miss Lizzie Morgan, L. M. Axtel, Miss 
Stockdale, J. R. Bovard and Miss Alton have served. 

In 1884 the school house was enlarged by an additional 
story, and thereafter two schools were carried on to acommodatc 
the increasing population, and in 1892 one other room was 
added. In 1892-93 Alva Chalfant, Miss McAlpin and Miss 
Wylie were teachers. In 1893, Prof. S. C. Kelley, Miss 
Agness McAlpin and Miss Charlotte Harr are the teachers. 

Prior to the organization of the borough the citizens belonged 
to the Lagrange iu(lo])endent school district. In 1876 Eli W. 



386 The Old and Weio Monongahela. 

Martin taught a school under the Lagrange authorities in 
Dougherty's carpenter shop, situated on the southwest corner 
of Spring and Hunt alleys. This was the first school in the 
town. Samuel Dougherty, now a resident of Rostraver, claims 
to have built the first dwelling on the site of the town, not tak- 
ing into account the prunitive log house which stood in the rear 
of the present residence of William Kyle, corner of State road, 
and Grant street. Thomas Ward occupied this primitive house 
when he erected his new house in Bellevernon in 1815, on the 
corner of Main and Second streets. Richard Wells, the father 
of Mrs. William Jacobs, afterwards lived in the old house, and 
was perhaps the last who occupied it. The occupants of this 
house used the water from the well-known spring that gushed 
forth in such abundance for many long years on the State 
road near Grant street. This spring has disappeared since the 
coal has been taken out underneath it. Samuel Dougherty, for 
his new house on State road near Spring alley, hauled the lum- 
ber to the site on the 4th day of July, 1870, and moved into it 
September 10 of the same year. The property is now owned 
and occupied by John Gray. 

The old coal mine was opened just in front of the house, but 
during the building of the honse it was nicely covered over 
with earth. Much of the ground on which the town is situ- 
ated is undermined by the coal being taken out, though enough 
was reserved to render perfectly secure the surface. The cavity 
is filled with water which has been utilized through pipes lead- 
ing from the mouth of the mine to the surface along State 
Road to Short street. The house now owned and occupied by 
S. Reeves, northwest corner of State . Road and Short street, 
and also the one owned and occupied by E. M. Kyle, north-east 
corner of the same streets, were erected about the same year 
as Dougherty's house; the former was built by Wm. P. Mackey 
and the latter by Thos. Hunt, who purchased this, the first lot 
in the town. These houses were built whilst the surrounding 
ground was planted in corn. The flouring mill at the corner 
of Speer street and Long alley was erected by John McLain 



The Old and New Monongahela. 387 

and Thos. Hunt in 1874, but now is owned and operated ex- 
clusively by the former. Recently the roller process of mak- 
ing flour has been introduced, ^nd now the mill has all the 
machinery necessary to compete with city manufacturers. 

The foundry on north side of State road above Spring alley 
was built in 1873 by Daniel Johnson, now a resident of one 
the western states. It was purchased by Mackey and Linton 
in 1875. The foundry has been torn down and the beautiful 
residence of John Smith stands now on its site. 

Since 1875 the houses on the north-east corner of Graham 
and Grant streets has been occupied as a parsonage for the 
Presbyterian ministers of Bellevernon. Rev. Perrin Baker, 
the present pastor, occupies it at this date. The Springer 
house, north-west corner of Speer and Grant streets, was 
erected by W. R. Springer in October, 1871. It is now the 
property of Everil T. Springer. He put a drug store in a part of 
it in 1881, and remains as such to this date. James Webb had 
a blacksmith shop in 1872 on Grant and Speer streets, being 
the first shop in the town. In 1877 A. C. Dougherty and a 
man named Kinney started a marble works on the corner of 
State road and Spring alley. This firm sold out to Stoen and 
Baird, and in a short time, about 1884, Alonzo Baird, one of 
the partners, became sole proprietor, and carries on the busi- 
ness at this date. W. S. Garret about 1876-77 had a marble 
shop on Long alley, near Third street, in Bellevernon. S. A. 
Picrsoll built a store room in 1880 on the south-east corner of 
State road and Spring alley, and established the first store in 
town. He enlarged the store room to its present size in 1882. 

Otiicers in 1802 : Burgess, vacant ; Council, John Gray, 
President, John H. EUer, S. Brogan, S. McKean, Jr., Joseph 
Robinson, C. M. Jones ; Borough Treasurer, E. M. Kyle ; 
Clerk of Council, J. R. Bovard ; Justice, Wm. Lehew ; Con- 
stal)le, J. L. liousman ; School Directors, John Gray, H. M. 
Fish, J. H. EUer, Pressly Jones, Joseph Williams, Edward 
Jordon. At this date, 181)3, John S. Reeves is an acting 
justice. 



388 The Old and New Monongaliela. 

GIBSONTON. 

This village is situated on the Monongahela river, in West- 
moreland county, about one quarter of a mile below Bellever- 
non. In 1771, Henry Speers the older and Kegiua Froman, 
his wife, from Germany, settled near the site of this place and 
became the owner of it, as well as a large tract of land sur- 
rounding it. The farm at that time was within the limits of 
Bedford county, from which Westmoreland was formed Febru- 
ary 26th, 1773. Richard Penn was then Governor. The old 
log house, the primitive part of which he built, stood across the 
ravine from the present stone mansion, where yet may be seen 
some old fruit trees. This was in time improved until it was 
sixty feet long, most of the timber being hewn logs. The house 
now occupied by Jacob Irons was built partly with logs taken 
from this house. Henry Speers the older died from the kick 
of a horse in 1773, not having long enjoyed the comforts of 
his new home. His remains are supposed to be interred in the 
graveyard near the present school house on the same farm. 
We have no data on which to fix the date of the death of his 
wife. By his will, Henry Speers, May 14th, 1773, conveyed 
the present Gibsonton farm to his son, Noah Speers, who, by 
his will, bearing date of June 2nd, 1832, conveyed it to his 
son, Noah W. Speers, now a resident of Memphis, Tennessee. 
Noah Speers was born March 27th, 1769, being only about 
two years old when his father, Henry Speers settled on the 
farm. He, that is, Noah, died June 9th, 1832, also from a 
kick of a horse, having lived on this farm ever since his father 
settled on it. The addition to the primitive house was built by 
Noah Speers, this part being of hewn logs whilst the original 
cabin was of round logs, as were all the first houses. 

It was the second generation of settlers who in Western 
Pennsylvania began to erect houses with hewn logs. So far 
as we can ascertain, the round logs in the primitive house 
formed the blacksmith shop which once stood near the old res- 
idence, but most of which shop now constitute the old Jane 



The Old and New Monongahela. 389 

Goe house on Bellevernon hill, to which place it had been 
moved in 1843. The late Jas. Beazell for a time worked at 
his trade in this shop whilst it stood on the Speers farm, of 
which we are now writing. The old log barns which stood one 
in the meadow just below the present road before reaching the 
row of houses of Gibsonton, and the other on the site of the 
present large frame barn in front of the residence of Jacob 
Irons, were both burned about 1850 or 1851. Noah Speers 
was in his early days a large slaveholder, and to accommodate 
his slaves he erected the main part of the stone mansion. His 
slaves were manumitted under the gradual emancipation laws 
and were all free before his death. The mansion house was 
enlarged and fitted up by Noah W. Speers for an academy in 
184:2, as we have already mentioned in a former part of this 
history. He also resided in it after the school closed until the 
farm was sold to John Niccolls in about the year of 1846. In 
1848 it was sold to Wm. Eberheart, who remodelled and im- 
proved the stone mansion, putting on the cornice around the 
roof and adding other changes which gave it a neat and desir- 
able appearance. The present large frame barn on the public 
road was built for Eberheart by the late Geo. Whiting, of Fay- 
ette city. During his ownership Eberheart also had erected 
the stable now standing near the mansion on the site of the 
former one which was burned. After the financial embarrass- 
ment of Wm. Eberheart in 1853, the farm was sold to J. K. 
Moorhead by the Sheriff of Westmoreland county. The farm 
was sold by Moorehead to John Gibson, of Philadelphia. At 
the death of John Gibson, his son Plenry C. became sole 
Dwner. The extensive distillery known the world over as Gib- 
sonton Mills, was erected on this farm in 1850-57 by the firm 
of John Gibson Son & Co. The firm subsequently took in 
(Charles Gibson, and then it was changed to John Gibson, Sons 
it Co. On the death of Charles the firm became John Gibson 
Son & Co, 

After the death of John Gibson the firm was changed to John 
(Tibson's Son ife Co. This firm was succeeded in January, 



390 The Old and New Monongahela. 

1884, bj Messrs. Moore & Sinnott, ,who at this time carry on 
the mammoth establishment. These mills as originally erected 
were superintended by Westley Ballinger, of Philadelphia, who 
took charge in 1856 and remained until April, 1858, a short 
time after the distillery went into operation. The main build- 
ing was built of hewn sandstone taken from a quarry on the 
farm. Westley Ballinger was succeeded by Harrison Mason, 
of Brownsville. In November, 1858, L. C. Baldwin was 
placed in charge as superintendent. He remained until July, 
1873. In the same month he was succeeded by Thomas L. 
Daly, the present efficient superintendent. 

The distillery was put in operation in April, 1858. Thomas 
Daily, father of Thomas L., superintended the placing in po- 
sition the distillery apparatus, but April 7, 1858, a few days 
before the starting of the mills, he by some misstep fell through 
one of the hatchways and was killed. He was a man of ex- 
traordinary genius, beloved by all with whom he associated, 
and his death was a loss not easily to be replaced in the estab- 
lishment. 

Harrison Mason was the first miller. The first distiller was 
Thomas Donaway, who took charge in April, 1858. He re- 
mained until the fall of 1869. He is now a resident of Vir- 
ginia City, Cass county. 111. John D. Yerty succeeded him. 
He left in 1872, and in a few years afterwards died near Mo- 
nongahela City. The present distiller is James Frost, who 
took charge in 1880. 

Joseph Abell was the first foreman in the cooper shop, and 
made the first barrel in this shop for the firm. He took charge 
in 1858 and left in 1868. He died in Monongahela City. John 
W. Wilkinson since February, 1866, has been engineer and 
general machinist. Edward Hendrickson, now deceased, had 
been miller for twenty years, and had also Ijeen grain inspector. 
Among the first coopers, we recall the names of Andrew Gra- 
ham, William Gall, Samuel Alloways, William McFall, Ben 
Bayless, William Garten. 

On the morning of December 11, 1882, the main building 



The Old and New Monongahela. 391 

with warehouse No. 1 were consumed by fire, occasioned by 
the explosion of the copper still. Wm. Lucas, a soldier of the 
late war, was so badly injured by the explosion as to die in a 
short time. He was attending to his duties about the still 
when the accident occurred. 

Three thousand barrels of whiskey were lost by the 
fire. The main building and warehouse were rebuilt and ready 
for starting in October, 1883. June 2, 1883, warehouse No. 
2 and 3 were consumed by fire through an accident happening- 
inside one of the buildings. Quite a number of persons were 
more or less injured but none fatally. The loss in this case 
was 7,000 barrels of whiskey. The present capacity of these 
mills is 1,000 bushels daily and warehouses for 100,000 barrels. 

The telegraph office at these mills was established in 1877, 
with Allen Wilson the first operator. The present operator is 
W. H. Lewis, (1893.) 

The postofiice of Gibsonton was established in July, 1884, 
with T. L. Daly postmaster. L. R. Boyle had been book- 
keeper for the firm since April, 1869, and to his death. The late 
John F. Beazell was night watchman for many years and was 
succeeded by the present incumbent, Fred. Mounser. Thos. 
L. Daly, the present superintendent, grew to manhood with his 
father around the mills, and was whilst quite young an em- 
ployee. He after leaving these mills was for many years pro- 
])rictor of the well known Boyle distillery in Washington 
county. Fa., and was in business in Monongahela City when 
he was tendered his present position. 

The products of the "Gibsonton Mills ^' are sought after in 
every state and territory in the United States. The firm ex- 
port to many foreign countries including China. No article is 
turned out but the pure whiskey manufactured from rye l)y the 
most modern chemical process. 

The establishment in all its departments is most complete. 
The machinery includes all the latest improvements. The 
grain is ground by the recently invented roller process. At 
this date,- November 15, 1893, natural gas is introduced 



392 The Old and Neio Monongahela. 

and used instead of coal, the mills and dwellings all being 
heated by gas. In connection with the mills is a complete 
water works distributing water from the Monongahela river all 
through the establishment and dwellings. 

From Bellevernon Enterprise, July 19, (1890.) 

GiBSONTON. 

A history or sketch of Bellevernon would be incomplete 
without reference to this valuable suburb. In the bend of the 
beautiful Monongahela river, in Westmoreland county, about 
one-fourth mile below Bellevernon, nestled among the lovely 
shade trees, is the works. 

The introduction of the excise law was the death-blow of 
the small distiller. It was a case of the survival of the fittest, 
and from that time forth instead of small establishments run 
in connection with other interests, large mills succeeded them, 
which supply thousands of barrels annually to all parts of the 
world. The most widely known and greatest of these manu- 
factories is situated at Gibsonton, on the east bank of the 
Monongahela, about forty-two miles from Pittsburgh. 

To subdue the whiskey rebellion it cost the government of 
the United States $669,992.34. In the year 1885, and nearly 
every year since, the same government received in taxes alone 
from the great Gibson Distillery at Gibsonton, the sum of 
$675,000, or more than the cost of the entire rebellion ! 

In 1854 the late John Gibson, of Philadelphia, who had 
been in the habit of making large purchases of Monongahela 
whiskies in the valley, found himself unable to secure the 
quantities that his growing business demanded. The local dis- 
tillers objected to selling in large quantities — they were content 
with a certain annual production, and would not listen to any 
suggestion as to its increase. Mr. Gibson, with a view to the 
■ future, thereupon determined to erect a distillery of his own 
and on a grander scale than had yet been seen in western Penn- 
sylvania. In 1856 the corner stone of the present works was 
laid, and in April, 1858, the first whiskey was made at the 



The Old and New Monongahela. 393 

distillery. When Mr. Gibson began building, his neighbors 
strongly advised him against committing what they termed an 
act of the greatest folly. The idea was termed extravagant, 
and a speedy failure was predicted by those who were con- 
sidered among the farseeing ones in the neighborhood. Mr. 
Gibson, however, still persevered in his building. He saw the 
advantages of the situation and its undoubted future. When 
completed the capacity of the work was 250 bushels of rye per 
day. At various times down to the year 1882 it rose to 750 
bushels. In December, 1882, the works were destroyed by 
lire, and in their rebuilding, the capacity was further increased 
to 1000 bushels a day, which amount they have retained to 
the present time. 

Upon the death of Mr. John Gibson in 1865, he was suc- 
ceeded by his son, Mr. Henry C. Gibson, who, together with 
Mr. Andrew M. Moore and Mr. Joseph F. Sinnott, formed the 
firm of John Gibson's Son & Co. In 1884, Mr. Henry C. 
Gibson retired from business, and the firm's name was again 
changed to that of Moore & Sinnott, the present proprietors of 
the Gibsonton distillery. 

Gibsonton is a model manufacturing town. The settlement 
consists of thirty-two comfortable dwelling houses for the em- 
ployes of the works; twelve great warehouses, which contain 
at times as high as 100,000 barrels of whiskey; three principal 
mills, stave and barrel shops scattered here and there, and the 
numerous lesser ofhces which are necessary in a large manu- 
facturing center. In addition to this there are six live stock 
barns on the premises which cover from ten to fifteen acres of 
land. In these 12,000 hogs are annually fed with the refuse 
from the distillery, occupying the pens in four relays of 3,000 
each every year. 

The employes of the firm live in comfortable cottages, which 
are leased to them at a nominal rent. They are a prosperous, 
thriving set of artisans, and are seldom known to change their 
employment. Each cottage has its little garden alongside, and 
nea rly every tenant posesses a cow or two and is interested in 



394 The Old and N'ew Monongahela. 

the improvement o| his individual holding as well as the larger 
work in the mills. They are usually men of family and chil- 
dren of all ages may be seen at all times crowding the streets 
or coming to and from the little school which has been built 
upon the estate. Counting the manufactories, wood land and 
farm land, the settlement of Gibsonton covers about 400 acres. 
The land is fertile and full of promise. From two-thirds or 
three-fourths of it is underlaid with a fine vein of bituminous 
coal, and the Gibsonton quarries, situated on the property, pro- 
duce sufiicient limestone for all the building purposes that can 
ever be needed. 

Under the present rules there can be no collusion by which 
whiskey can be abstracted in the manufactory. The workmen 
cannot have access to the spirits they are making and conse- 
quently a great source of temptation — that of drinking — is en- 
tirely removed. In Gibsonton to-day, although the greatest 
whiskey center of this country, there is not a single workman 
on the premises who could procure without permission a pint 
of whiskey for himself, no matter how much he might try to do 
so. The consequence of this is that there are none of those 
scenes which the ill-informed commonly associate with the 
localities in which alcoholic liquors are manufactured in great 
quantities. The general manager of the works, Mr. T. L. 
Daly, is a thorough disciplinarian in this respect. He holds 
that it would not be just to pass over the Gibsonton distilleries 
without mention of some of the associate industries which 
cluster around the institution. Of these the most important 
as well as the most interesting, is the coopering department. 
All the barrels used for storing the whiskey are made upon the 
premises. The staves of which they are made are of solid 
oak. They are secured from Kentucky and Indiana, and a 
stock of about one million is continually carried in order that 
they may be well seasoned. 

Each stave is kept exposed to the atmosphere for three 
years before it is considered sufficiently well seasoned to be 
used in the manufacture of barrels. And here it may be re- 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 395 

marked that one of the chief points in the distilling trade is 
the provisions for the future. The grain market must be closely 
studied, and favorable opportunities for buying can never 
be allowed to escape. The probable consumption for years 
ahead must be considered with prophetic eye. The supply 
must be equal to a future demand and must not exceed it. The 
possible effect of legislation must be taken into account and a 
policy shaped suitably to its provisions. In every way the 
distiller must be far seeing, and must consider the future as of 
equal importance with the present. 

The case of the manufacture of barrels in one respect furn- 
ishes a problem that may be of interest to American inventors. 
Up to the present time no machine has been invented that will 
make a perfect whiskey barrel. They are all made by hand. 
No nails are used in their construction. The workmen, won- 
derfully skilled to their trade, put them together with almost 
incredible speed. An expert can, without aid, put together 
and make three complete barrels a day — a wonderful perform- 
ance, considering the solidity and difficulty of their construc- 
tion. In the barrel factory at Gibsonton, however, each man 
has a certain assigned task to perform, and thus by combining 
the whole force is enabled to work in a quicker as well as a 
more systematic manner. One man shapes the staves, another 
with his compass and adze, traces out the headings, another 
puts the barrel in shape, and still another tightens the rivets 
which hold the parts together. No barrel is used twice. 
They are all new and, when they leave the store houses at Gib- 
sonton they never return. One hundred thousand, however, 
filled with whiskey of different ages, are resting in the 
warehouses at present. These will be removed a batch at a 
time as future consumption may demand. 

Another department of the Gibsonton works, and one scarce- 
ly less interesting than the cooper shop, is the malt house. 
The works malt all their barley required in the process of 
whiskey manufacture. The amount of malt used averages 
from thirty to fifty thousand bushels a year. It is obtained 



396 The Old and New Monongahela. 

mostly from Caiifida and shipped directly to the mills. Here 
it is cleaned, steeped and spread on stone floors until used. 
All the barley malt is kiln dried like the rye. 

The magnitude of the business transacted by the firm of 
Moore & Sinnott is exceedingly great. Although their dis- 
tillery is situated at Gibsonton, their principal oflice is at 232 
and 234: South Front street, Philadelphia. They have branch 
offices in New York, Boston, New Orleans, San Francisco, 
Charleston, Savannah and Augusta, Georgia. Each year their 
taxes to the government exceeds half a million of dollars, and 
their freight carried by the railroads reaches as high as five 
thousand carloads. The whiskey from Gibsonton supplies the 
majority of the wholesale dealers throughout the United States, 
but the reputation of their whiskies is not confined to this 
country alone. At the present time Gibson whiskies are being 
shipped to Mexico, the West Indies, France, England, and 
even China, in large quantities. Over f 50, 000 is paid out 
annually in wages at Gibsonton, and the company own no 
stores; hence Bellevernon reaps a large benefit therefrom. 

The large plant lies on the line of the McKeesport & Belle- 
vernon Railroad, which is operated by the V. & L. E. Company. 
The shipments are made also by P. R. R. and boats. 

This place, like Bellevernon, is a natural gas town. The 
Bellevernon Light and Heat Company piped the place, and 
for some years have been furnishing the plant as well as 
the homes with gas. Mr. Daly having faith in the farm being 
on the line of the great gas belt, secured Mr. Stewart, who has 
drilled two wells, the capacity of either being sufficient to 
furnish twice as much gas as is needed for all purposes. Daly 
& Co. purchased the pipe line of the Light and Heat Company 
and furnish gas now for themselves. 

That this is the section for any one contemplating locating 
in a rapidly growing and popular place, no one doubts. This 
is a health V boom and no mistake. 



The Old and Neio Monongakela. 397 

(From Belleveniou Enterprise.) 

Natural Gas. 

The stranger visiting Bellevernon for the first time cannot 
fail to be impressed with the clearness of the atmosphere. 
Great establishments covering acres of ground, and with stacks 
pointing high into the skv, front on the river. There is ample 
evidence that they are in full operation, but no smoke rolls 
from their stacks and there is no grim anywhere to mar the 
beauty of the surroundings. Ask the reason for this and the 
average intelligent citizen of Bellevernon will say : " It is 
because we have natural gas.'' And then the visitor may ex- 
pect to be entertained with an enthusiastic description of the 
richness of the natural gas territory surrounding Bellevernon ; 
the wonder of natural gas as a fuel ; the comfort and luxury 
it has brought to the people of Bellevernon, and the great aid 
it will be in working out the destiny of what every true Belle- 
vernonite believes will be a great city. 

The boasts may seem overdrawn, but only until the visitor 
has some knowledge of their foundation. Then it must 
appear that eloquent statement is necessary to convey an idea 
of the wonders of Bellevernon's natural gas field. And it 
must appear too, that when all has been told, words have fallen 
far short of adequately paying tribute to the beneficient work of 
Dame Nature, who has supplied right at the doors of our peo- 
ple a fuel whose quality for light and heat are unexcelled, and 
that in quantities that justify the claim that the supply is inex- 
haustible, and whose measurement places the Bellevernon gas 
field in the lead of all others in point of richness. Some idea 
of the facts may be obtained when it is stated that the produc- 
tion of two of the wells of the Bellevernon Light and Heat 
Company is 45,000,000 cubic feet of gas every twenty-four 
hours. The figures are almost too great for comprehension, but 
they are most eloquent testimony to the magnitude of the 
Bellevernon natural gas interests, and the most cogent reason 
for the confidence of our people in the future of our town. 



398 The Old and New Monongahela. 

It is fair to presume that natural gas has been with us as long 
as the hills and rivers, and everything else that surrounds us, but 
it did not proclaim its presence. It was found only after a 
long search, in which the people of Bellevernon displayed that 
patience and perseverance that is one of the most important 
elements in the success of any community, and whose posses- 
sion and exercise is always a subject for congratulation. It was 
about the year 1865 that the presence of natural gas was first dis- 
covered at Bellevernon. Mr. L. M. Speer while drilling a 
well for oil struck a flow of gas at a depth of 1,000 feet. The 
value of the discovery was not apprehended at that time, and 
it was not until eighteen years later, in 1883, that the first real 
efforts to find gas with the idea of utilizing it as a fuel were 
made. In the fall of that year a well was put down on the 
river bottom by K. C. Schmertz & Co. At a depth of 2,800 
feet enough gas was found to justify the belief that Bellever- 
non was either directly on the natural gas belt, or so near to it 
as to leave no doubt that if the search were continued gas suf- 
ficient for all purposes would be found. This conviction was 
all that was necessary to furnish the leading spirits of Belle- 
vernon with the incentive to exertion, which should be con- 
tinued until the end was reached. R. C. Schmertz & Co. 
drilled three more wells, testing the territory along the river 
for a mile north of their factory. In one of the wells the bit 
was lost at a depth of 1,000 feet, and work was abandoned. 
The other wells showed gas in small quantities, but proved that 
the true gas belt had not been found. The Schmertz and other 
developments had involved the outlay of a small fortune with- 
out securing important results, save to deepen the conviction 
in the minds of Bellevernon "s progressive men that natural 
gas in great quantities could be found if the search for it was 
continued. 

It was decided to work systematically, and the Bellevernon 
Light and Heat Company, with a capital stock of ^10,000, di- 
vided into 200 shares of $50 each, was formed, and a charter 
was obtained March 5th, 1886. The incorporators were R. C. 



The Old and Neiv Monooigahela. 399 

Schmertz, W. E. Schmertz, Jr., S. F. Jones, T. L. Daly and 
R, J. Linton. The first officers were R. C. Schmertz, Presi- 
dent; S. F. Jones, Yice President; R. J. Linton, Secretary. 

The first move of the company was to secure the services of 
J. C. White, State Geologist, and Professor of Geology in the 
University of West Virginia, to survey the field and point out 
a suitable location for a well. Professor White designated a 
spot north of Bellevernon, on which was drilled a well known 
as the Carnes well. This well when completed showed a 
pressure of thirty pounds to the minute. It was the largest 
flow so far discovered, and while the pressure as compared with 
that of what are now known as Bellevernon' s great gas wells 
was small, the Carnes well was regarded as of great importance. 
The well was sold to Mr. Schmertz, who laid a pipe line to his 
glass factory, and the gas has been used there ever since. 

More important than this, however, was the determination 
of the company to prosecute in a new direction the search for 
gas. That four wells should have been completed and another 
partially drilled without striking gas in great quantity, might 
have been considered good reason to believe that rich strikes 
could not be made in the vicinity of Bellevernon. But the 
people of Bellevernon were not made of that kind of stutt' — 
their faith was not exhausted. While they had faith they were 
willing to spend money, and they decided to drill another well 
and in a new direction. 

While Professor White was prospecting for the company, 
S. F. Jones made himself familiar with the anticlinal and other 
theories. This knowledge Mr. Jones utilized at this juncture. 
With a pocket compass and an atmospheric barometer he ran 
a line across the Monongahela river below Gibsonton. The 
line struck the west shore of the river near the mouth of Maple 
creek, and then ran through John Redd's farm to a point one 
mile beyond B. L. Parson's farm. The company decided to 
drill a well on J. B. Carson's farm, one mile from the river, 
in Washington county. This well was completed September 
15th, 1887. It showed a pressure of 125 pounds to the minute. 



400 The Old and New Monongahela. 

At last Bellevernon had natural gas in sufficient quantities to 
enable its people to not only supply themselves with light at 
nominal cost, 'but to hold out inducements to capitalists in other 
quarters to cast their lot with them and share their good 
fortune. 

The company at once contracted for pipe and proceeded to 
lay a six-inch line from the well to the river at a point opposite 
Gibsonton Mills. There the river was crossed, and then the 
line ran up the east shore to the glass factory, a distance of 
two miles from the well. The work was completed and gas 
delivered to the distillery and factory about November 15tli, 
1887. Ten days later the fuel was turned into the dwellings 
of the people of Gibsonton and Bellevernon, and they have 
since had a steady and cheap supply of light and fuel. 

On January 12, 1888, a resolution was passed by the gas 
company to increase its capital stock from l|10,000 to |100,000. 
This action was proposed because more than double the origi- 
nal capital had been expended on the plant, and because it was 
considered wise to make further developments. The increase 
was properly authorized February 26, 1888. The additional 
stock was taken by the stockholders in the same proportion as 
their former holdings, and paid up stock certificates to the 
amount of |50,000 were issued. 

With abundant capital and a firm faith in the richness of the 
territory, the Bellevernon Light and Heat Company secured 
valuable leases and concluded to- drill two additional wells, one 
each on the Parsons and Eider farms. That on the Parson's 
farm was begun on April 4, 1888, and completed May 21st, 
the gas sand having been reached on the 16th. The Rider 
farm well was completed soon after. The two wells rank 
among the wonders of the natural gas development of the 
country. Their combined daily production is not less than 
45,000,000 cubic feet of gas. Natural gas strikes were be- 
coming common when these wells were brought in, but so 
great was the volume of the gas put out that they attracted 
widespread attention from all parts of the country. The roar of 



The Old and Neui Monongahela. 401 

the gas escaping from them could be heard for miles. It sounded 
a proclamation to the world that the enterprise and energy 
of Bellevernon's people had been rewarded; that gas in quanti- 
ties beyond the wildest expectations of the people had been 
found, and that the quiet trip of S. F. Jones, with his pocket 
compass and barometer, had resulted in defining the lines of a 
natural gas field, whose existence had not only not been sus- 
pected, but whose richness was beyond compare. The sound 
was music to the ears of the people of Bellevernon, and they 
had a right to so regard it. It was a clarion note of invitation 
to the whole country to come and see and be convinced that to 
Bellevernon's manifest advantages of long standing had been 
added another and the greatest of all the advantages, one 
which in a day placed Bellevernon in the front rank of suita- 
ble locations for great enterprises. 

R. C. Schmertz, the President of the Bellevernon Light and 
Heat Company, died just a few days before the first of the 
great wells in the Maple creek field was brought in. Mr. 
Schmertz was one of the most indefatigable spirits in the 
prosecution of the search for natural gas, and one of the most 
firm believers in the possibility of Bellevernon's future if the 
new fuel could be found in large quantities. It was his sturdy 
faith that was proof against the repeated discouragements that 
attended the first year's experiments. And rarely has faith 
been more richly justified. Rarely, too, it must be said, has 
any man earned a greater amount of gratitude than that which 
the people of Bellevernon owe to R. C. Schmertz. 

Mr. Schmertz was succeeded as president of the Bellevernon 
Light and Heat Company by S. F. Jones, who was also made 
general superintendent with large powers. T. L. Daly became 
vice president; R. J. Linton, secretary; and J. S. Jones, 
treasurer. During the year 1888 contracts were entered into 
with the Brow)isville, Fayette City and Lock No. 4 Gas 
Company to supply them with gas. Since that time, these 
companies, as well as Bellevernon and Gibsonton, have been 
amply supplied from two wells through a system of high |»res- 



■102 The Old and New Monongahela. 

sure pipe lines aggregating about 20 miles in length. Eight 
miles of this line belongs to the Bellevernon Light and Heat 
Company, and is supplied with improved appliances for safety 
and economy. Recently the company assigned a portion of its 
territory to the Monongahela Natural Gas Company, of Pitts- 
burgh, on advantageous terms. The Philadelphia Company 
has also some territory and some good wells in the Bellevernon 
and Maple Creek fields. The Bellevernon Light and Heat 
Company, however, has reserved enough territory of approved 
quality to guarantee an inexhaustible supply of natural gas for 
all time. 

There is another important fact in connection with the Belle- 
vernon gas field, however, which deserves extended mention. 
Within the past few months two wells have been drilled on the 
east side of the river, about a quarter mile north of Gibsonton. 
One of these wells is directly on the anticlinal line defined by 
the Carson, Parson and other good wells in the Maple Creek 
field, and the other is a short distance east of the line. These 
wells are known as the Daly wells, in honor of T. L. Daly, who 
is responsible for the experiment in this direction. They are 
both good wells and are of the highest importance, as proving 
that the gas belt which is so wonderfully rich in the Maple 
Creek field crosses the Monongahela river in a northerly direc- 
tion and runs into Westmoreland county, no person yet knows 
how far. The territory will be thoroughly tested, however, 
and it will not be strange if the field in which the L)aly wells 
are located proves as rich as that which has produced the won- 
derful wells on the western side of the river. 

There is no doubt of the staying qualities of the wells on 
both sides of the river. They may fail in time, but the people 
of Bellevernon have secured enough territory to make sure of 
a |)lentiful supply of gas at nominal rates to all who come for 
generations. 

Thus the people of Bellevernon have every right to proclaim 
their advantages over other towns to the world. They ask for 
nothing better than that capitalists who arc seeking for advan- 



The Old and New Monongahela. 403 

tageous locations shall come and see what Bellevernou has to 
offer. Here is natural gas in quantities too great for measure- 
ment ; here are facilities for the transportation of freight, 
either hy rail or river, that are unsurpassed anywhere ; here 
are great beds of coal and limestone and sand ; here are free 
sites for any responsible parties who will locate with us, and 
here are a people who have shown themselves progressive, 
public spirited and ready to help along any enterprise that will 
aid in the development of their town and its surroundings. 

Glass Works of R. C. Schmertz & Co. 

Spread over five acres of level ground at the south end of 
the town is one of Bellevernon's proudest monuments. It is 
not a shapely shaft surrounded by beautiful gardens, but a col- 
lection of substantial brick buildings, the glass works of R. C. 
Schmertz & Co., Limited, whose product has done more to 
make the name of Bellevernon known to the outside world 
than anything else that has gone out of the town, and at the 
same time has added year after year to the prosperity of its 
people. 

Glass making is among the oldest of the importajit indus- 
tries of Bellevernon. Far back in the thirties its advantages 
as a site for a glass factory were recognized, and in 1836 or 
1837 a factory was established by William Eberheart. Not 
much information of its size or capacity is in existence, but it 
is known that it was a small affair, and it is fair to presume 
that its owner never dreamed that fifty-three years later one of 
the largest manufactories in the country would be located on 
the ground where he made his beginning. 

After some years the property passed into the hands of Geo. 
A. Berry, now president of the Citizens Natioiuil Bank, of 
Pittsburgh, and was operated by him until the year 1865, 
when it was purchased by the late R. C. Schmertz, who united 
with careful business training amount of indomitable energy 
that was certain to cause to grow to its fullest capacity any en- 
terprise in which he was interested. 



404 The Old and New Monongahela. 

Mr. Schmertz formed the firm of R. C. Schmertz & Co., 
consisting of himself, William Loeflier and R. J. Linton. In 
the hands of this firm the plant has grown to its present proud 
dimensions and has attained, in many important particulars, a 
position far in advance of any concern of the kind in the 
country. Mi-. Schmertz died in 1888. The members of the 
firm now are the Schmertz heirs, William Loeffler and Kobert 
J. Linton, and the corporate name, R. C. Schmertz & Co., 
limited. The manager of the factory is Lawrence Morrison. 

The establishment consists of ten four-pot furnaces, five 
flattening ovens, a large three-story pot room, immense cutting 
rooms, two large ware rooms, batch room, clay house, grinding 
room, pot room for working flattening stones and furnaces, 
saw mill and box shop, pot shell room, lime and sand houses, 
etc., all closely connected and conveniently arranged. The 
last warehouse to be erected is 60x300 feet, and it is certain 
that the end of the growth is not yet. When to this statement 
is added the fact that the capacity of the establishment is 4,000 
boxes of glass each week, those who have any knowledge of 
glass industry will appreciate the important position in the 
manufacturing world held by the firm of R. C. Schmertz & Co., 
limited. 

But this importance is as largely due to excellence in special 
lines as to the mere capacity of the establishment. At the 
Schmertz factories glass making has always been conducted on 
the most scientific principles and the best results have therefore 
been secured. The factory is famous for its ability in twenty- 
four hours to transform the raw materials from which glass is 
made into highly polished sheets of double-thick glass of the 
largest size made in the ccnnitry, ready for shipment. \\\ the 
cutting rooins may be seen sheets 36x96 inches, 42x88 inches, 
44x80 inches, 46x98 inches, 48x80 inches, 50x74 inches. 
Many of these sheets contain nearly 4,000 square inches of 
glass. 

The aim of the firm for years has been to make the quality 
of the glass manufactured by them equal to the product of the 



The Old and New Monongahela. 405 

famous Belgian factories. How well they have succeeded may 
be miderstood when it is stated that the Schmertz glass is to a 
great extent used for pictm'es, show cases and large store fronts, 
taking in each of these particulars the place of imported glass 
and giving in every case equal, if not better, satisfaction. 

Another important particular in which the firm of R. C. 
Schmertz & Co., Limited, excels is in the manufacture of 
ground and frosted glass, which is now so largely used for 
office partitions and windows. This firm was the first in the 
United States to add this department to the manufacture of 
window glass, and in doing so again proved the ability of 
American glass manufacturers to compete with those of Europe 
in a field that was considered most firmly held by them. 

Not the least interesting or important of the features of this 
great glass establishment is the saw mill and box factory. The 
firm buys lumber in large quantities in the river, piles it up in 
the yard and drys it, and then seasons it and cuts the boards 
up into the thousands of boxes that are required every week to 
ship the finished product. The Schmertz firm is the only glass 
concern that does this, and it is an important advantage. 
Another advantage is the fact that the railroad runs into the 
factory yard and that the rates for freight are those ruling at 
Pittsburgh. 

The firm employs over 200 men, and these enjoy the proud 
distinction of receiving higher wages than those employed in 
any other glass factory in the country. Some men make from 
$300 to $500 in four weeks, and all are well paid, many hav- 
ing been in the employ of the firm for many years and are 
among the most respected citizens of the town. 

In September, 1893, the R. C. Schmertz & Co., limited, was 
merged into the E. C. Schmertz Glass Company, inc(U-})orated 
with a capital of f>250,000, of which Wm. Loetfier is President, 
A. L. Swift is Secretary, and Wm. E. Schmertz, Jr., Treasurer. 
Principal oflice at Pittsburgh. The company has just com- 
pleted a tank of 48 pots capacity, with a ton ])()t furnace, 
making an increased capacity of 50 per cent. 

38 



lot) The Old and Neio Monongahela. 



Extracts from the Bellevernon Enterprise. 

Any history of the town of Bellevernon would be incom- 
plete and unsatisfactory without reference to the gentlemen who 
are and who have been for years untiring in their efforts to 
bring the advantages of our town before the world. In doing 
this they have, unconsciously perhaps, performed a great ser- 
vice to all our people, in that they have kept awake in the heart 
of every man the spirit of ' ' push ' ' which is so essential to the 
well-being of every community. Their example in enterprise 
and public spirit has always been earnest and effective, and the 
people of Bellevernon are largely in their debt. 

S. F. Jones. 

One of the most familiar figures on the streets of Bellever- 
non, and one of the leaders in everything calculated to advance 
its interests, is S. F. Jones. Mr. Jones is manager of the firm 
of S. F. Jones & Co., bankers, and also president of the Belle- 
vernon Light and Heat Company. He was born in Rostraver 
township, Westmoreland county. Pa. ; was educated in the 
common schools; followed the life of a farmer until 1872, 
when he and his brother, William, formed the banking house 
of S. F. Jones & Co., meeting a want long felt at Bellevernon. 
Notwithstanding it was a new experience for him, and the 
great panic of 1873 coming so soon after, this firm stemmed 
the tide, and to-day is one of the firm financial fixtures of 
Bellevernon. He is also one of the firm of the Bellevernon 
Saw and Planing Mill Company, doing an extensive business. 

Mr. Jones is largely interested in the development of the 
Maple Creek gas fields, and it was in a great measure due to 
his eft'orts that the late R. C. Schmertz was induced to join 
with a few capitalists in the organization of the Light and Heat 
Company, of which Mr. Jones is president and general super- 
intendent. This company was the pioneer in the Bellevernon 
and Maple Creek field which has attracted so much attention. 
He is also vice-president of the Fayette City Natural Gas Co. 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 407 

He was one of the chief promoters and devoted much time 
securing rights of way and encouraging the building of the 
McKeesport and Bellevernon K. R. Mr. Jones combines 
thorough painstaking with great enterprise and executive abil- 
ity. He is always active for the public good and is prominent 
in all of Bellevernon' 8 most important affairs. His manner is 
quiet and unostentatious, but the most casual observer cannot 
fail to be impressed, even after a short conversation, that Mr. 
Jones is a man with a great reserve force and that he is a safe 
adviser for any commnnity. 

Robert J. Linton. 

The first impression of the average man who may be intro- 
duced to Robert J. Linton is that he is a man of fixed purpose, 
large ability, a safe adviser and a gentleman whose word in 
every respect is equal to his bond. First impressions are often 
erroneous, but the people of Bellevernon unite in the agree- 
ment that Mr. Linton is just what he appears to be — a straight 
forward man of affairs who can always be relied upon to do 
anything that will aid in furthering the best interests of the 
town. For over twenty years he has been in their midst, and 
this testimony is the result of long experience and the intimate 
knowledge that comes from close acquaintance. 

Mr. Linton is a member of the firm of R. C. Schmertz & 
Co., limited, glass manufacturers, and resides in one of the 
most pleasant homes in the town. No man in the country has 
more thoroughly mastered than he every detail of the mysteries 
of glass making. He knows every foot of the great factories 
covering acres of ground, and no space is wasted. Quick to 
appreciate the real value of any new device, and ]M-ompt to 
grasj) all its benefits, and to improve on them if improvement 
is possible, it is not strange that he should rank among the 
most advanced manufacturers in the country, and one whose 
counsel is always sought in important matters. This being the 
case, the declaration of Mr. Linton that he considers Bellever- 
non one of the best towns in which manufacturers can locate 



408 The Old and Nero Monongahela. 

must have great weight. He is of the Scotch-Irish race and 
one of its most sturdy representations. In the prime of life 
and full of vigor and kindliness, it is not presumptions to say 
that he may reasonably expect to see the fulfillnient of his 
hopes for the town in which he takes so much pride. 

Thomas L. Daly. 

A thorough and accomplished gentleman, and a man who 
enjoys the respect of all citizens is Captain Thomas L. Daly, 
the general manager of the Gibsonton distillery. Mr. Daly 
was born in Philadelphia, September 19th, 1839, the sixth in 
a family of eight children of Thomas and Mary (Marr) Daly. 
His father and mother were natives of Dublin, Ireland, and 
after coming to this country settled in Philadelphia, and in 
April, 1857, was employed to come to Gibsonton to superintend 
the erection of the Gibsonton mills. Here he was joined by 
the subject of this sketch, who came from Indianapolis, Ind., 
where he had been engaged in the extensive flouring mills 
of William Winpenny & Co. At Gibsonton mills he has filled 
one position after another since April, 1857, in these extensive 
works. In July, 1873, he was appointed general manager, 
which position he still holds. He is a large stockholder in the 
Light and Heat Company, and thoroughly in earnest in any- 
thing he undertakes. As the manager of great enterprises, 
Mr. Daly is the equal of any man in the country. Modest and 
unassuming in his manner, his character is of the positive order 
that always wins for its possessor a place in the front ranks. 
His executive ability is unquestioned, and the ease with which 
he controls the details of a business whose ramifications extend 
to all parts of the world commands general admiration. 

John S. Van Voorhis, M. D. 

A finished scholar, a cultured gentleman, a man of wide ex- 
perience in the affairs of the world, and one of the most pro- 
nounced believers in the future of Bellevernon — that is John 
S. Van Voorhis, M. D. Dr. Van Voorhis in a sense was "to 



The Old and Neiv Monongahela. 409 

the mauor born," having first seen the light May 8, 1823, 
near Monongahela City, which is just a few miles distant from 
Bellevernon, and having spent his whole life among our peo- 
ple. He graduated from Washington College September 25, 
18^4:, and on March 25, 1847, took his degree at the Jefferson 
Medical College. Locating in Bellevernon in May of the same 
year, he has practiced his profession in this town almost con- 
tinuously ever since, the longest exception being a residence 
of three years in Monongahela City. Shortly after locating in 
Bellevernon Dr. Yan Yoorhis was married to Miss E. P. 
Smith, an estimable lady, and his home has always been one 
of the pleasantest in the town. 

While devoted to his profession and ranking as one of its 
most skillful members. Dr. Van Yoorhis has found time to en- 
gage in many other important projects, all of which have 
advanced the best interests of the Monongahela valley. He 
was one of the earliest to advocate tlie construction of railroads 
in the Monongahela valley, and with voice and pen labored 
diligently in that direction. The efforts of few men have been 
crowned with greater success. He was the organizer of the 
Pittsburgh, Virginia & Charleston Railroad Company, whose 
road he has seen grow to be one of the most important branches 
of the Pennsylvania system. He also worked early and late 
in the interests of the McKeesport & Bellevernon road; and in 
recognition of his services and standing in the community, was 
made chairman of the general committee on celebration, and 
delivered the address of welcome wdien the road was opened 
to Bellevernon. In 1857 he represented Washington county 
in the Legislature, and he has been an honored member of the 
American Medical Association since 1872. In 1885 he made 
an extended tour through Europe. His latest work, in addi- 
tion to the practice of his profession, is the preparation of a 
volume that will be devoted to the history and biography of 
the Monongahela valley. He enjoys the respect and esteem 
of all classes, and has abounding faith in Bellevernon'' s future. 



■ilU The Old and New Monongahela. 

Bellevernon. 

"All things come to him who waits." 
"Patience and perseverance overcometh all things." 
The two sayings that times without number have revived 
hope in the hearts of hosts of earnest men and women, striv- 
ing under apparently insurmountable obstacles to accomplish 
great objects, have been proven true once more. The sturdy 
people of Bellevernon, after generations of waiting, and after 
long years of intelligent exercise of patience and persever- 
ance, are on the eve of the realization of their fondly cherished 
hopes for the future of the town. On every hand signs are 
abundant that the quiet which has been the characteristic of 
the town, and which underthinking observers have mistaken 
for indifference and lethargy, is to be shaken off, that the well 
directed bustle that proclaims prosperity, is to fill its streets; 
that the enterprising spirit of its people is to spread far and 
wide; in a word, that Bellevernon is to have a boom. 

That this is not idle speculation can easily be demonstrated. 
To begin with, no locality in the country has been more highly 
favored by Dame Nature. Much wilder exaggeration passes 
current as good sense than the statement that in the construc- 
tion of things material extra pains must have been exercised 
to make perfect the territory of Mdiich Bellevernon is the centre. 
The beautiful Monongahela river, running in a straight line, 
for miles along a bottom high enough for health, and wide 
enough for the needs of a busy people, was the first element 
of nature's kindness. Picturesque hills rising in a gentle slope 
from what has become the site of a busy town, an^ supporting 
in their turn level fields of such an extent as to be equal to the 
requirements of a great city, are another natural advantage. 
When it is added that under everything, and easy of access, 
are inexhaustible deposits of coal of the finest quality, sand for 
manufacturing and building purposes, and stone enough to lay 
the foundations of a state, there might be reason for saying : 
"Nature has done enough ; nothing is left for man but to rest 
and be happy I" 



The Old and New Monongahela. 411 

Something of this spirit may have animated the people of 
the Bellevernon of one day. But that was long ago. Man's 
enterprise and ingenuity have added so much to Bellevernon's 
advantages as a place for residence, and a site for great busi- 
ness operations, that if there were no other inducements these 
would weigh for much. 

During all time the energy that demonstrated the eligibility 
of Bellevernon as a site for great enterprises must be given one 
of the first places in the record of the, notable accomplishments 
in its history. The first move was the establishment of a fac- 
tory for the manufacture of glass. It was at the time an 
experiment, whose success was in doubt, but that success lias 
been so great that it lias carried the name of Bellevernon to 
nearly every civilized country on the face of the globe. Not 
less important in its bearing on the future of the town was the 
establishment of a distillery, which has grown to be the largest 
of its class in the world. 

The success of these enterprises proved that Bellevernon 
had as good a right to look for greatness as any other locality. 
But there was a long time to wait, and much patience and per- 
severance was called into play before the people were in con- 
dition, as they are to-day, to strike out for the realization of 
their hopes. 

First of all it became evident that the river, while an impor- 
tant factor in the prosperity of any community, did not afford 
the rapid and certain means of communication with the balance 
of the world that are necessary to keep up with the hurry of 
the last quarter of the nineteenth century. A railroad was 
stretched along the opposite side of the river, due to the efforts 
of Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis and others of our town. It was an 
aid to the growth of the town, but it failed to meet all require- 
ments. It was evident that Bellevernon must have a railroad 
of its own. The town could not be moved to any point already 
traversed by tracks, so the railroad had to be brought to Belle- 
vernon. What this task involved — how often hope was de- 
ferred, and how gloriously it was finally realized, are subjects 



412 The Old and New Monongahela. 

not to be discussed here. Suffice it to say that the raih-oad 
came to the town, and every day its good effects are felt by 
all classes. 

Before the railroad, though not before it was discussed, the 
people of Bellevernon had natural gas. With an abundance 
of coal under every foot of ground, it would not have been 
surprising if the people of Bellevernon had left the discovery, 
of natural gas in their neighborhood to persons from other lo- 
calities who needed it more. But by the time it was generally 
understood that natural gas was far superior to coal as a fuel, 
and long before many shrewd minds realized that fact, the 
active men of Bellevernon concluded that what they needed 
was natural gas. They went to work with the spirit that has 
characterized all their acts. Discouragement and large and 
apparently useless expenditure came first. But perseverance 
seemed to be the motto of the town. The search was con- 
tinued, and to-day Bellevernon is the center of the richest gas 
producing territory in the world. The wells are so near the 
doors of the people that the best fuel ever given to man is sup- 
plied at nominal cost. Natural gas was the last discovery 
needed to make complete the preparations for the future of 
Bellevernon. It brought the railroad; it has stimulated energy 
in every direction. 

Without detail the reasons have been given for the faith of 
the people of Bellevernon, in proclaiming to the world the be- 
lief that they offer better advantages than any other locality to 
capitalists of all classes, to come to them and help make Belle- 
vernon a great manufacturing center. Summarized these ad- 
vantages are: 

Natural gas. 

Railroad and river outlets. 

Coal of the best quality. 

Sand and limestone in abundance. 

A locality whose eligibility has been demonstrated by suc- 
cessful capitalists. 

A community whose members can be relied upon to- 



The Old and New Monongahela. 413 

actively aid any enterprise calculated to promote the general 
prosperity. 

Added to all these, and reserved to the last because it is one 
of the greatest, is the offer made of free sites for manufacto- 
ries to capitalists who will locate in Bellevernon. 

" Bellevernon may be a city some day," was the remark we 
were acc^ustomed to hear from enthusiasts in the old days. 

" Bellevernon shall be a city," is the expression and inten- 
tion of its people to-day. 

The two greatest events in the recent history of Bellevernon 
were the discovery and introduction of natural gas and the 
construction of the McKeesport and Bellevernon railroad. 
The story of the long search for and final location of the 
richest natural gas field in the world is given on another page. 
It is proper that the advent of the railroad should be recorded 
here. 

A direct railroad connection with the outside world was the 
dream of. the people of Bellevernon for forty years. That it 
was not realized until the 10th of October, 1889, was no fault 
of the people of Bellevernon and other towns along the east 
shore of the Monongahela. Thirty years before an attempt 
was made to secure a railroad, and at various times after that 
the effort was renewed. Hopes ran high when in 1881 the 
East Shore Railroad Company was incorporated under the 
auspices of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Company, 
but the charter expired without any work being done. 

In 1886 the McKeesport and Bellevernon Railroad Company 
was chartered, and in December, 1887, the work of building 
a line from Reynoldton, opposite McKeesport, to Bellevernon 
was begun. Owing to successive troubles over rights of way, 
but eleven miles of the road was completed up to April, 1889. 
Between that date and the 7th of October, 1889, seventeen 
miles were added, and on the memorable ■ Monday, the 7th of 
October, the last spike was driven. The road was formally 
opened on the 10th of October with a celebration at Bellever- 
non that will be remembered as long as the youngest person 



414 The Old and New Monongahela. 

present that day lives, and long afterward. Hundreds were 
present from points in the neighborhood, and distinguished 
guests came from a distance. Dr. J. S. Yan Yoorhis was 
master of ceremonies for the day, and the exercises consisted 
of speeches by residents of the town, officials of the railroad 
company and other distinguised visitors, and a grand banquet. 
The people thought they had occasion to rejoice and everybody 
joined in. There was particular reason for joy, because three 
of the foremost promoters of the railroad were Bellevernon 
men — Messrs. S. F. Jones, T. L. Daly and R. J. Linton — 
and all of the leading men of the town had given their time, 
energy and money to the successful prosecution of the work. 

Five passenger trains and a large number of freight trains 
are running over the road daily now, thus affording rapid, 
direct and cheap communications with east and west through 
Pittsburgh. The ability of Bellevernon and the east shore of 
the Monongahela generally to support a railroad has been dem- 
onstrated, and it is only a question of a short time until the 
road is extended to Brownsville or some point more distant. 
The capital stock of the cofnpany was |600,000, and over 
^1,000,000 was expended in the construction of the road. The 
officials at the date of the opening were: President, Jacob 
Wainwright; Secretary and Treasurer, W. T. Wallace; Direc- 
tors, S. F. Jones, R. J. Linton, J. M. Guffey, C. H. Sack- 
rader, P. H. Green, B. L. Wood, Jr., and J. Chamberlain. 
The road is now operated by the P. & L. E. P. P. Co. 

The Bellevernon of to-day, to state the case briefly, is one 
of the most prosperous towns and pleasantest places to live or do 
business in the United States. With a river that is always 
navigable by reason of the improvements of the Monongahela 
Navigation Company flowing })ast its doors; with two railroads 
affording direct communication with all parts of the country; 
with an inexhaustible supply of natural gas; with coal of the 
finest quality underlying every foot of ground; with sand and 
limestone to be had for the quarrying — with all these advan- 
tages, what community could be more richly endowed, and 



The Old and Mew Monongahela. 415 

what town has a better right to raise its voice and stretch out 
its hand and invite men with money to come and help build a 
city. This can be done with better grace, than by the resi- 
dents of many other towns for a reason not given alone. The 
foresight of such citizens as R. J. Linton, S. F. Jones and 
Thomas L, Daly has secured to the business men of Bellever- 
non, a boon which every business man will appreciate, and 
which entitles the gentlemen named to the gratitude of all the 
people of Bellevernon. 

By the terms under which the McKeesport & Bellevernon 
Railroad obtained admittance to the town, shippers are guaran- 
teed a freight rate even to that charged shippers in Pittsburgh 
and other terminal points. The same condition prevails with 
regard to freight received into the town. The advantage of 
this will be apparent to everybody when it is stated that the 
growth of hundreds of towns throughout the country is retarded 
by freight discrimination — that is, the charging of excessive 
rates on freight from the time it leaves the main system of the 
railroad. In more than one case within the knowledge of the 
writer, the freight rates imposed on the shippers in tow^ns 
situated as Bellevernon is, have been greater for less than 20 
miles than those charged shippers in the main line for a distance 
of 150 miles. What this means any business man can calcu- 
late for himself. It answers the one argument that foreign 
capitalists might urge against investing in this town. When 
they verify the statements concerning freight rates, as they 
can easily upon application to the proper officials, they will 
ascertain that with plants located at Bellevernon they will have 
the same advantages with regard to freight rates as are enjoyed 
by the largest shippers at the most important terminals. 

Enterprise seems to be the chief characteristics of the peo- 
ple of Bellevernon. 

The Gibsonton distillery from the small beginning of 1854 
has grown to be the largest pure rye whisl^ey distillery in the 
world. The plant covers ten acres of ground, and the daily 
capacity of the concern is from 4,000 to 4,200 gallons. From 



416 The Old and New Monongahela. 

48,000 to 50,000 barrels of whiskey are permanently stored in 
the great bonded warehouse of the firm, and from 2,000 to 
3,000 barrels are stored in the free warehouses subject to the 
order of customers. The keeping up of this great stock is 
necessary because the average yearly demand for the product 
of the distillery is from 15,000 to 16,000 barrels, and the pro- 
prietors adhere rigorously to the old idea that whiskey is not 
fit for consumption before it is at least three years old. That, 
perhaps more largely than any other circumstance, is responsi- 
ble for the fact that Gibson's whiskey is a prime favorite every 
where. In addition to being the largest distillery of its class, 
the Gibsonton concern is one of the most perfectly appointed. 
The barrels in which the product of the still are stored are 
made on the ground; all the grain grown in the surrounding 
country is utilized, and the employes, many of them in the 
service of the proprietors for more than twenty years, are 
sober, intelligent men of family and good citizens in every 
respect. This high standard of excellence in all departments 
is very largely due to Captain Thomas L. Daly. 

The Glass Works, which many years ago became the property 
of R. C. Schmertz & Co., have also a distinction that is claimed 
by no other factory in the country. It has produced the largest 
sheets of window glass manufactured in the United States. 
The establishment, which is in every respect a model, is under 
the management of Robert J. Linton, than whom no man is 
more deeply interested in everything that concerns Bellever- 
non's welfare and prosperity. 

Next most prominent in the industrial field is the plant of 
the Bellevernon Saw and Planing Mill Company, which operates 
an extensive planing mill and boat yard. Under the energetic 
management of Samuel Jones this concern has achieved an 
excellent reputation and is doing a large business. 

The banking house of S. F. Jones & Co. is another of the 
prominent features of the town. Mr. S. F. Jones is president 
and gives his personal attention to the management of its busi- 
ness. This is the best guarantee that could be given of the 



The Old and New MonongaJiela. 417 

solidity of the concern, and it is a matter of common consent 
that the bank is as stable as the United States Treasury. 

Another institution of which the people of Bellevernon are 
proud is the foundry. This concern manufactures stoves and 
ranges in large numbers. Those known as the "Torchlight" 
and "CoalYalley" stoves and the " Braddock " ranges are 
unexcelled by the product of any other stove foundry in the 
country. The proprietor, Mr. Amon Bronson, is a self-made 
man, and is one of the "fixtures " of the town. 

The people of Bellevernon never have occasion to go away 
from home for good flour. John McClai]i has a large mill and 
has a reputation as a miller that is second to none. 

As a contractor and builder, C. R. Corwin ranks among the 
first in any locality. 

It is impossible within the limits prescribed for this article to 
go into details concerning all the business enterprises of the 
town. It must suffice to say that they embrace every class; 
that Bellevernon has as good stores as any town of its size 
anywhere; that its merchants are wide awake and accommo- 
dating, and that there is nothing that is necessary for the com- 
fort or happiness of any person that cannot be found in the 
town. 

One more feature of the enterprise of our people deserves 
especial mention however. That is that the go-ahead spirit is 
not confined to any class. This will be evident to any person 
who spends a day in the town, from the bustle in the stores; 
the thrifty appearance of everybody met on the streets; the 
number of new buildings in course of erection, and the im- 
])rovements on old buildings that have been made and are in 
progress. In a word, everybody is awake and they want the 
outside world to know it. 

Independent of its facilities as a business location, Bellever- 
non is one of the best places in the country in which a man can 
live with his family. Its beautiful location has been described. 
When to this is added the fact that rents are low, that lots can 
be purchased for little money, and that fuel costs almost noth- 



418 The Old and New Monongahela. 

ing, there is little to be desired. But these are not half the 
advantages Bellevernon offers. It has excellent schools and a 
fine school building; four churches, representing the Presby- 
terian, Methodist, Baptist and Disciples"' denominations; the 
people are sociable and refined, and have fewer vices than are 
usual among a population made up of so many diverse elements. 
Another matter that counts for a great deal is the fact that 
very generally the workmen of the town own the homes in 
which they live. As a consequence, the poor man is equally 
alive with the rich man to the necessity of doing everything 
possible to advance the best interests of the town and all its 
people. 

Our people know all this, and much more which their 
modesty deters them from exploiting, to be true. They invite 
outsiders to come and see for themselves, satisfied that the 
town and its inhabitants will be benefited by the closest 
inspection. 

An Address. 

An Address of Welcome Delivered by J. S. Van Voorhis, October 10, ISSO, 
at the Opening of the McKeesport and Bellevernon llailroad to Belle- 
vernon, Pa. 

Messrs. President, Board of Directors of the McKeesport 
and Bellevernon Railroad Company, Citizens and Strangers 
Within Our Gates : 

The spirits of four generations look down upon the event of 
this day and beckon us to give you a hearty welcome. 

To-day we realize a forty years' dream overshadowed by 
your presence in celebrating the crowned efforts of science and 
labor. This is the dawn of the day when om* valley will take 
a proud position in the great railroad highway from the rising 
to the setting sun. In the name of the fathers who sleep be- 
neath the sod, and in the spirit of all that is dear to the present, 
we bid you partake of our hospitality. The importance of a 
full development of the resources of the Monongahela valley 
has at last been ap])reciated. Skill, ca])ital, wisdom, foresight 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 419 

and individual energy has completed a railroad to this point on 
the east shore of our beautiful river. For long years we have 
been using our eiforts, in divers ways, to induce the opening up 
of the valley by means of railroads. The river has long been an 
efficient agent in giving life and wealth to the valley, but the 
demands of progress are such that water transportation cannot 
satisfy the increasing trade. The spirit of the age requires 
rapid transit and quick returns. Our side of the river to-day 
can boast of such facilities as we have been dreaming of for 
nearly three score years ; and perhaps but for the industry, 
energy and business shrewdness of Wainwright, to-day might 
have found us " waiting still for something to turn up." God 
bless such a man and may his shadow never grow less. 

Sixty years ago the building of railroads was a mere experi- 
ment in this country, with a population of 12,000,000. To- 
day 156,000 miles of railroad traverse our country from ocean 
to ocean and from the lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, w^ith a pop- 
ulation of 60,000,000. Sixty years ago the wealth of our 
country was $1,000,000,000; to-day it over reaches 156,000,- 
000,000. The railroads of this country, in 1888, carried 475,- 
000,000 of passengers and 600,000,000 tons of freight. The 
railroads of the United States employ 1,000,000 workmen. 
They have 30,000 locomotives, 21,000 passenger cars, 7,000 
baggage cars and 1,000,000 freight cars. The capital invested 
exceeds $8,000,000,000 and over $600,000,000 are paid annu- 
ally for labor and supplies. 

The first attempt at building a railroad from any point in the 
valley of the Monongahela was made by the Baltimore & Ohio 
Company in 1829. The surveys were made under the super- 
vision of Jonathan Knight, at that time chief engineer of the 
company. He ranked among the most distinguished civil en- 
gineers of this or any other country. This survey was ])rinci- 
pally made with the view of a direct line to Wheeling with the 
contingency of a branch to Pittsburgh. On the completion of 
the B. & O. railroad to Cumberland in 1844 the citizens of 
Pittsl)urgh and the valley generally w<M-e opposed to the pro- 



420 The Old and New Monongahela. 

ject and the Pennsylvania Legislature refused to grant the 
right of way for the company to pass along the valley, and the 
result was the building of their road through the mountains of 
West Ya. The opposition in Pittsburgh arose from a vision- 
ary fear of a foreign company interfering with the projected 
Pennsylvania R. R., and the farmers of Fayette and Washing- 
ton counties opposed it because it would destroy the trade of 
the national pike. The national pike to-day is, in many places, 
overgrown with weeds and grass, but the farms are worth four 
times as much. Such is progress. The first survey of a rail- 
road along the river from Brownsville to Pittsburgh was made 
in 1835, on the west side, under the direction of the Hon. B. 
H. Latrobe. He estimated at that time the cost at $27,662.22 
per mile. Pittsburgh long since repented of her unwise action, 
and in after years made herculean efforts to secure competing 
lines to and from the city. Railroads have made that city 
what she is to-day and what we expect to make our valley — 
what she ought to be. 

The Hempfield railroad was another abortive effort to aid in 
the developement of the valley. It was incorporated by an 
act of the Legislature May loth, 1850. Its original intention 
was to construct a railroad from Greensburg, in Westmoreland 
county, to Wheeling, in West Virginia. After being com- 
pleted to Washington, the remaining portion was .abandoned, 
although an immense amount of money had been expended. 
Its franchises are the property of tbe B. & O. Company. Its 
chief engineer, Charles Eilet, Jr., was au extravagant, though 
in the main a successful builder of railroads, but in this scheme 
he failed for want of funds, in addition to a strong outside 
pressure of opposing elements. About the time the Hempfield 
was being constructed at the western end, the Central Oliio, 
from Wheeling to Newark, Ohio, was under contract, and it 
was the intention of the Hempfield Company to obtain a con- 
trolling interest in this road so as to have a continuous line 
from Philadelphia westward; but by a sharp manouvre, the 
Baltimore & Ohio purchased the Ohio Central so as to give 



The Old and New Monongahela. 421 

their main railroad a western connection. The Pennsylvania 
Railroad Company, thus foiled in the attempt to push their 
westward idea by way of the Hempfield, abandoned its interest 
in this latter project and purchased the bankrupt Pittsburgh 
& Steuben ville Company's franchise, which gave it in the end 
by what is now called the "Pan-Handle,'"' a route to the west. 
The Hempfield was finally sold to the Baltimore & Ohio 
Company. 

During the progress of the survey of the location of the 
Hempfield, a petition was presented by the citizens of Belle- 
vernon, and others, to Hon, T. M. T. M'Kennan, President, 
asking an examination of the route by way of the north branch 
of Pigeon Creek and south branch of Maple Creek, in Wash- 
ington County, crossing the Monongahela river at Bellevernon, 
and thence by way of Smith's mill, on the Youghiogheny 
river, to Greensburg, During the summer of 1852 Mr. 
M'Kennan visited Bellevernon and made a speech from the 
steps of the residence of Soloman Speers, now the Holey 
House, in which he portrayed the advantage of the proposed 
railroad and pledged himself to an examination of the route, 
which was done, though in a very hasty manner, and rejected 
on account of its greater distance. The Ohio and Baltimore 
Short line R. R. Co. was organized in February, 1872. This 
charter was obtained for the purpose of extending that part of 
the Hempfield completed by way of Bellevernon to Dawson 
station on the B. & O. R. R., formerly known as the Pitts- 
burgh and Connellsville railroad. The object was to secure an 
outlet west to this latter road, which had been refused by way 
of Pittsburgh. 

Work on this extension was commenced in December, 1873, 
and prosecuted with vigor at the heavy grading at Bellevernon 
and Bentleysville, but in May, 1874, work was suspended for 
reasons which were never satisfactorily explained to the out- 
side world. This charter was allowed to lapse, but May 5, 
1881, a new organization under the same name was effectc, 
with a change of route from Washington via Coal Centre to a 
29 



4:'2'2 The Old and New MonongaJtrla. 

point above Conuellsville on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad 
instead of Dawson station. Work was promptly commenced 
and pushed with vigor as though it was intended to be speedily 
finished. Heavy grading, tunnels, &c., were being worked 
with large forces of men; the stone work of the bridge at 
Greenfield, now Coal Centre, was ready for the superstructure, 
when lo! suspension all along the line was ordered and so re- 
mains to this day. Four attempts had thus been made to con- 
struct a railroad across the counties of Fayette and Washing- 
ton. This last abandonment seems to have been occasioned 
by the fact that the B. & O. road had secured a western route 
from Pittsburgh via Streets Run and Washington. The first 
direct movement to construct a railroad up the valley on the 
east side of the river was during the session of the Legislature 
in 1864. A bill was prepared and sent to the late Hon. R. R. 
Reed, then a member of the House from Washington county. 
This bill was intended to give the Pittsburgh & Connellsville 
R. R. Co. authority to construct a brancli road up the Monon- 
gahela river. In after years, however, the good policy of the 
project was duly appreciated by the B. & O. Railroad Com- 
pany, but it was too late. It was one of the many mistakes of 
the officers of that company. 

During the session of 1865 we sent a bill to the late Hon. 
T. J. Bingham, a senator from Allegheny county, incorporating 
the Monongahela Yalley Railroad Company, which was allowed 
to have a peaceful rest among the archives of the Senate. In 
1866 a bill was carefully prepared and sent to the late Joseph 
B. Welsh, a member of the House from Washington county. 
He seemed to take hold of the matter in the true spirit, and 
succeeded finally in having it passed through the House, just 
in time to have it die under the rules in the Senate. By re- 
quest, on the 8th of January, 1867, Col. T. B. Searight, a 
senator from Fayette, read a bill in place which contained all 
the provisions desired by its friends, but merely read it in 
place without any further attention. It was carefully preserved 
from the Senate in the committee. In 1867, Mr. Day, of 



The Old and New Monongahela. 423 

Washington, had the bill of 1866 so remodeled as to satisfy 
its friends as well as enemies, and so had it passed, which was 
approved by the governor April 8th, 1867. During the sum- 
mer of 1867 your speaker agitated the organization of the 
company. The first meeting of the corporators was held at the 
Monongahela House, in Pittsburgh, and adjourned- to meet at 
Elizabeth, June 7th, 1867. This meeting was largely attended 
and a progressive spirit manifested. Many capitalists and other 
business men were present. Meetings were subsequently held 
in Monongahela City, Fayette City, Brownsville, West 
Brownsville, Carmichaels, Finleyville and Library. 

The act of Assembly fixed the capital at $20,000 per mile, 
and 10 per cent, of said stock was required to be subscribed 
and 10 per cent, on the subscription to be paid in before Let- 
ters Patent could be granted. The distance was computed 
by the river from Pittsburgh to Waynesburg. In order to 
shorten the distance and thereby reduce the amount to be sub- 
scribed, it was suggested that a supplement to the act should 
be obtained, allowing the road to be located on any route from 
Pittsburgh to Monongahela City, and thence along either side 
of the river to a point at or near Rice's Landing. The bill 
was in charge of Mr. Day, of Washington, who forced it to its 
final passage against the eloquence of Mr. Playford, of Fay- 
ette. This act gave new life to the project and the survey was 
completed in the spring of 1869. By the act of February, 
1870, the name of the Monongahela Valley Railway Compa- 
ny was changed to that of Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charles- 
ton Railway Company. In the spring of 1870, operations in 
the building were commenced, and in 1873 the railroad com- 
pleted and in full operation to Monongahela City. In May, 
1881, the railroad was completed to West Brownsville. In 
August, 1882, the Redstone branch from West Brownsville to 
Uniontown was finished. In May, 1879, the road and its 
franchises })asscd to the control of the Pennsylvania R. R. Co. 
and is now operated as one of its lines. 

By the Act of Assembly approved April 14, 1870, the Pitts- 



424 The Old and New Monongahela. 

burgh & Yirginia R. R, was incorporated and partially organ- 
ized. Its object was another effort toward opening up the re- 
sources of the east side of the Monongahela river by a railroad. 
Like former similar attempts this proved a failure. It was 
expected that the B. & O. Co. would take hold of such an 
enterprise and insure its success. 

The characteristic timidity and short-sightedness of that com- 
pany again failed to realize what a bright future awaited such 
an enterprise. 

In December, 1870, the Bellevernon branch of the Pittsburgh 
and Connellsville railroad was chartered by the courts of West- 
moreland county. The object of this company was to build a 
railroad from the lower end of Main street in Bellevernon to a 
point on the Pittsburgh and Connellsville railroad at Amieville, 
not far below the mouth of Sewickley creek. L. C. Baldwin, 
superintendent of the Gibsonton mills was the president, and 
among the managers were S. F. Jones, John Rankin, N. Q. 
Speer and Hortensius Lowry. The prospects for its construc- 
tion were, apparently, very bright ; large subscriptions of stock 
were readily obtained and the right of way generally secured 
when, for some, not generally known, cause, the company 
went into court and obtained authority to dissolve the corpora- 
tion, which was promptly done, the stockholders being refunded 
their ten per cent, minus expenses incurred. This was another 
mistake. 

In August, 1881, the East Shore Railroad Company was 
organized under the auspices of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie 
■ Company. Surveys were made and considerable of a stir 
made along the river, but the charter was allowed to expire by 
limitation. However, about this time a new spirit seemed to 
have taken hold, even of some of the minds connected with 
the East Shore enterprise. Mr. Wainwright, who had con- 
structed the Pittsburgh, McKeesport & Youghiogheny Railroad 
along a route on the Youghiogheny river, where no ordinary 
genius would have dreamed of a road, had the boldness, the 
shrewdness and the talent to not only resuscitate the project, 



The Old and New Monongahela. 425 

but to carry it out in so successful a maimer as to elicit the ap- 
plause and congratulations of not only the people of the valley, 
but business men both east and west. 

Napoleon, when he proposed to march his army into Italy, 
was told that '' the Alps were in his way." He replied, "I 
will show to the world that there are no Alps." He built the 
Simplon road. So Wainwright, when confronted with the 
heretofore almost hopeless task of building a railroad on the 
east shore of the Monongahela, was able to say that ' ' railroads 
can be constructed where everything else fears to tread — save 
genius.,' The road, as it now stands, is a monument to his 
genius more enduring than marble, for it is written in the hearts 
of his fellow citizens; and when the great railroad system of 
which we have written, and whose birth to-day we celebrate, 
shall have extended from the great chain of lakes in the north 
to the burning sands of the Atlantic, his name, with that of 
Vanderbilt, will be applauded, and generations yet unborn will 
rise up and call him blessed. 

To-day our valley puts on a new verdure ; to-day the East 
Shore has its gates open to the outside world ; to-day our vil- 
lage of seventy years growth will stand erect with her sister 
towns on the west side ; to-day the unmeasured wealth of the 
West Virginia hills are within our grasp ; to-day a new page is 
written in our history. 

In a short time, no doubt, the McKeesport and Bellevernon 
railroad will be extended to connections in the south. This 
company was quietly organized solely for the purpose of build- 
ing it, and we see it is a reality to-day. Wainwright is presi- 
dent of the company. Very recently Vanderbilt has purchased 
a large interest in the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad which 
foreshadows, at no distant day, connection with that road by 
Wainwright. The upper Monongahela Valley has long been 
neglected, but to-day the progress of this new railroad enter- 
prise shows that it is reaching for something heretofore hidden. 
We long ago predicted that a railroad would be built on each 
shore of the Monongahela, and the realization of the prophecy 



426 The Old and New Monongaliela. 

is only a matter of a short time. For years we have been try- 
ing to convince the people that every mile of railroad along 
this valley would pay its own dividend. Already can be noted 
new life on the east shore. 

New towns and new enterprises are bound to spring into ex- 
istence on almost every mile of this road. The trade is here 
now and will continue to grow. The people along this new 
road have already cast aside their slow motion style and now 
bestir themselves in the true double quick. Already land along 
the line has quadrupled in many places in price, and inquiries 
are being almost daily made for sites favorable to manufactur- 
ing interests. Our great gas field is sufficient to furnish fuel 
for all who will invest their capital. On the extension of this 
new railroad to the sources of the Monongahela, a new coal 
field of three hundred square miles will be within the reach of 
the consumer, and within the present generation a thousand 
furnaces will light up our valley, furnishing to the laborer a 
never ending employment, and to capitalists a rich reward for 
their investment. 

[From the Bellevernon^nterpr-ise.J 

An Opening Opened, and a Big Day of Celebration. 

The marriage has taken place, the reception is over, and the 
10th of October will long remain in the minds of the many who 
witnessed the celebration of Bellevernon being joined to the 
outer world by the bonds of the iron horse. The preparations 
for the occasion were ample and truly the union was celebrated 
appropriately. 

Promptly at 7 A. M. the special left our depot for McKees- 
port to meet the guests coming from Pittsburgh and other 
points. The train was gaily decorated with the national colors, 
of which all are so grandly proud, and as she pulled out the 
whistle at the mill and gas regulator greeted her with extra 
toots. No wonder Sam Jones blowed the whistle so loud on 
her return, either. People came to town in almost every con- 



The Old and New MonorigaJiela. 427 

coivablc way and by the time the special train returned the 
staid old village was one tumultuous throng. Banners of 
"Welcome'" were hung from the house tops and never in our 
time was there so much genuine enthusiasm. Everybody was 
happy and thus added to the enjoyment of "our guests.'' 

IS^ever in the history of this thriving settlement has such an 
important occasion enthused its citizens. The advent of nat- 
ural gas was a cause for great rejoicings — it was the harbinger 
of great things — but now that the "iron horse'' is here the 
place was wild with enthusiasm. 

The gaily decorated train carrying the Pittsburgh visitors 
arrived at McKeesport at 9.30. At Reynoldton Junction the 
members of the Bellevernon committee with the Bellevernon 
cornet band and G. A. R. drum corps, met the visitors. 

The train reached Gibsonton, a suburb of Bellevernon, at 
11. Here the train was met by several hundred citizens, 
whose cheers and huzzas welcomed them to the region of king 
gas and coal. The conclusion of a lively selection by the band 
was the signal for a demonstration, and for a period of time, 
during which the train proceeded from Gibsonton to Bellever- 
non, the booming of cannon, the toot! toot of whistles, the 
escape of gas and the cheers of the people combined, was an 
excellent imitation of pandemonium. 

At Bellevernon the visitors were received by Chief Marshal 
Samuel McKean and staff, and a procession was soon formed 
with the officers of the road and distinguished men in the van, 
which the band led to the speakers' stand on Main street. 

Dr. J. S. Yan Voorhis delivered the address of welcome. 

President J. Wainright, of the McKeesport and Bellever- 
non railroad, responded to the address of welcome. Mr. 
Wainright said in substance: The manner of greeting by the 
people of Bellevernon is thankfully received by the directory 
of the road, and being no speaker himself, he would have to 
be excused from a formal address. He was reminded of an 
incident that occurred a few weeks' since between a farmer 
below our town and himself. The farmer required a good deal 



428 The Old and New Monongaliela. 

of persuasion before being convinced of the propriety of giv- 
ing the right of way to the road passing over his farm, but 
finally consented. 

The next day on meeting a neighbor he remarked that the 
man Wainwright last night had talked him into giving the right 
of tvay, and if he had stayed all night with me he would have 
gotten my whole farm. I am called sometimes the Right of 
Way Wainwright. From the tenor of the doctor's speech he 
would have been a good talking right of way man. We are 
doing the best we can to furnish the east with short railroad 
facilities, and we are glad to see that our efforts are appreciated 
by the citizens of the Yalley. We again thank you for your 
greetings. 

Hon. Geo. Y. Lawrence, of Monongahela City ; Judge 
Hunter, of Westmoreland county ; Judge Ewing, of Fayette 
county, and State Senator Robbins, of Greensburg, all praised 
the man who had the head and heart to open the east shore rail- 
road, as well as to thank the people of Bellevernon for their 
grand demonstration. Letters of regret were read from 
prominent men who were unable to be present. 

The banquet prepared at the Roley House was one of the 
affairs of the day, and judging from the smiling visages of those 
who partook of the hospitality of Mr. Roley, it was a great 
success. 

After dinner the visitors spent a few hours strolling around 
looking at our immense glass factory, gas system and wells, as 
well as taking in a short trip to Gibsonton distillery, which is 
one of the largest in the country. 

When the time came for the departure of the special, many 
were loth to leave their lat-e made friends, yet with promises 
of a return visit "some day," good byes were said and a day 
of pleasure was about closed. 

Among the Pittsburgh visitors who attended the opening 
were: J. S. Scully, R. H. Smith, George B. Hill, John Swan, 
W. W. McCreary, Max K. Moorhead, W. W. Patrick, Capt. 
T. Fawcett, Alexander Dempster, Benjamin Elwood, T. E. 



The Old and New Monongahela. 429 

Umstaetter, Cliarles R. Meyraii, Capt. Horner, Samuel Dil- 
wortli, W. R. Holmes and Dr. J. B. Murdock, 

Tlie railroad officials were: D. P. Corwin, secretary Pitts- 
burgh, Virginia & Charleston; F. A. Dean, general freight 
agent Pittsburgh & Lake Erie; F. G. Bailey, W. G. Taggart, 
F. H. Kennedy, George McCague, of the Lake Shore & Mich- 
igan Southern, M. E. Valiant, T. W. Galleher, division freight 
agent of the Baltimore & Ohio, and J. W. Waiuwright, J. H. 
Drake, O. A. Rogers and W. T. Wallace, of the McKeesport 
& Bellevernon Railroad. 

From McKeesport: J. B. Shale, E. P. Douglass, attorney 
of the road; A. B. Campbell, J. L. Devenney, editor News\ 
Dr. White and others. 

Elizabeth: J. Speer, comptroller of Allegheny county; 
Wm. Walker, Attorney J. B. Patterson, Dr. Charles Shaffer, 
Dr. Van Kirk, Dick Wiley, editor Herald^ Geo. Roberts, Jr., 
Gen. Pass. Agent J. C. Grooms. 

Monongahela City: Capt. T. H. Williams, W. J. Alexan- 
der, C. G. Mcllvaine, Jos. A. Herron, E. Downer, Postmas- 
ter James Moore, John S. Markle, John Van Voorhis, J. B. 
Finley, Isaac Yohe, Jr., James Yohe, Moses Scott, B. F. 
Bentley, Hon. G. V. Lawrence, W. H. Smith, John Swichard, 
Frank Hendrickson and others. 

Uniontown was represented by Judge Ewing, Geo. D. 
Howell, R. F. Hopwood, Wm. G! Guiler. A. F. Cooper, O. G. 
Chick, Geo. A. McCormick, L. H. Frazier, Editor Cook, John 
D. Carr, R. P. Kennedy, Editor Scott, of the Neios; Doll 
Johns, and others whom we did not meet. 

Personal mention cannot be made of all the reporters and 
editors who favored us with a call, because they invaded our 
sanctum and office in such numbers that we could not remem- 
ber names or faces, but were glad that so many came, and are 
sure that our city friends will now know how Bellevernon is 
situated geographically. 

The banquet in Taggert's hall wound up the appropriate cel- 
ebration, and in the morning the trains carried away the last 
of our guests of a great day. 



430 The Old and New Monongaliela. 

Letters of regret were received from Thos. M. Bajue. E. A. 
Moiitooth, John Dalzell, A. A. Wallace, S. D. Warmcastle, 
President Harrison, M. S. Quay, J. G. Blaine, John II. 
Hampton and Isaac S. Van Yoorhis. 

Nathaniel Everson 
and miscellaneous matters. 

Nathaniel Everson, father of Mrs. Louisa Taggart, came 
from Chester county, was married in Baltimore, came to Pitts- 
burgh first then to the old log house on Jesse Peeve's farm 
near Rostraver coal works above the house long occupied bj 
Levi Harris. Old Joseph Johnson lived and died in the old 
house about forty years ago. Nathaniel Everson moved into 
the old house that stood on the site of the Presbyterian church, 
corner of Main and First streets, Bellevernon. In this house, 
in 1816, Mrs. L. Taggart was born. Nathaniel, some years 
subsequently, built and moved into the house which still stands 
on corner of Locust and Long alley, long known as the Granny 
Taggart house. 

The first fire in the town happened in this house, and in this 
way: Henry Doyle had married Harriet Everson, October 
29th, 1820, and in due course of time the first born appeared 
on the stage of life, and as was the custom, many of the 
female inhabitants were itivited to give honor to the occa- 
sion, among whom were Aunt Rutan, Polly Corwin, Katy 
Ward, Hannah Gaskill and Mary Hornbeck; but to add further 
zest to the occasion, the father, Henry Doyle, in the evening 
invited as his guests Morris Corwin, Budd Gaskill, Billy Horn- 
beck and Thomas Ward. In the midst of the festivities, Doyle 
thought of the barrel of good old rye he had stored away in 
the loft. With the primitive lamp made of tin, a wick 
and grease in hand he hied away to the secret place for a 
pitcher full of the desired fluid. As the spirits flowed freely 
from the spigot, he thought it would be a good chance to 
taste it in advance of his guests. So he stooped to catch it as 



The Old and New Monongaliela. 431 

it ran, but in so doing the lamp came in contact with tlie gas 
from the liquor, and way went the barrel up and through the 
roof, setting fire to everything in the loft, and the spilled 
whiskey pouring on to the open floor passed down in a blaze to 
the room where the mother and new born babe were in bed. 
The bed with its living contents was hurriedly taken to the 
kitchen, and all hands got to work to put out the fire. 

The next fire was in 1856, in the cabinet shop of Apollos 
Speers, where now is the rear part of J. S. Henry, Jr. 's store. 
The next fire was January 31, 1875, by which the house be- 
low Strawberry alley on Main street, occupied by Henry Haler, 
was consumed, together with the store room in which was the 
store of Cunningham & Craft, and the second story which was 
occupied by the Odd Fellows and other orders. The dwelling 
house in which Rev. A. B. Lowes resided and the dwelling of 
el as. H. Lewis, made a narrow escape from being burned. The 
great fire of the town occurred February 28, 1880, by which 
was destroyed the saw mill and nearly every building on the 
square bounded by Main, Third, Water streets and Strawberry 
alley. 

On the night of February 24, 1886, a fire consumed the 
dwelling and drug store room of Henry Lang, together with 
what was known as Kyle's row, all situated on State Road near 
Main street. 

The first tavern in town was kept by Billy Hornbeck in the 
house now owned by A. L. Brown whilst it stood on the corner 
of Main street and Cherry alley. He was succeeded by Abe 
Bugher, after he married Mrs. Darr, who kept the first cake 
shop in town, in the old part of the Lanehart house as it was 
built by Geo. Hazelbaker, the hatter, who had his hat shop in 
it at first, but afterwards as the firm of Hazelbaker & Dun- 
levy, he carried on the making of hats in the house on Water 
street, near what is now known as the Bull Run bridge. This 
house was built for John Springer by his father, Daniel 
Springer, about the year 1830. Geo. Kintner built the house 
now owned by Mrs. Eliza Smock. Kintner's wife was Polly 
Everson, sister of Mrs. L. Taggart. 



432 The Old and New Munongahela. 

The first carpenter work done by Thomas Taggart in town 
was the long row on Main street below Strawberry alley. He 
built it for his father-in-law, Nathaniel Everson. 

Richard Everson had erected the Wise House and kept in it 
the second tavern. It was built at three different dates with 
as many divisions. Among others who kept tavern in this 
house we call to mind, A. C. Housman, Griftith Wells, J. W. 
Wright and L. A. Eberheart. The house in which Mrs. Louisa 
Taggart now (1893) lives was built by Thomas Taggart himself 
having purchased the lot from Solomon Speers. 

Budd Gaskill built the old log part of the Lang house on 
Water street. The late Samuel Winters had built the Bunting 
house on Main street. The house now owned and occupied on 
Main street by Jacob Haught was built by Joseph Pearson the 
bricklayer and Wm. Wayts the plasterer. 

The first doctor in town of which we have any account was 
Dr. Horner, he boarded with Horubeck ; he was succeeded by 
Drs. Fool, Kirk, Johnson, Roberts, Egan, Yan Voorhis, 
Creigh, Chalfant, Fetz, Rupp, Conklin. Hazlett, Enos, and at 
this date, 1893, the resident physicians are: J. S. Van Yoorhis, 
A. N. Marston, Geo. E. Nickel, Andrew Guiler, N. B. Low- 
man and W. H. Lewis. Dr. Yan Yoorhis came to Bellevernon 
May 25th, 1847, and is now the oldest practitioner of medicine 
in the valley. 

In 1829 the Caughenour house was built by James Cor win, 
who with Robert Patterson, did the carpenter work. During 
its building Corwin lived in the house now occupied and owned 
by Henry Haler and heirs on Main street, and Robert Patter- 
son had a cooper shop in that part of the Lang house recently 
occupied as a drug store by Henry Lang. The house corner 
of Second and Water streets was built by A. P. Frye, where 
for a time he resided prior to his purchase of the tanyard now 
the property of the heirs of George Lang. 

In 1834 Robert Patterson built the old house out of which 
has been made the fine residence now owned by Mrs. Neal on 
Main above Third street. Robert Patterson and Thos. Todd 



The Old and New Monongahela. -433 

did the carpenter work, and Kobert G. MuUin, lately deceased, 
of Fayette City, did the painting, and Thomas, brother of 
Henry Doyle, the plastering. In October, 1833, Robert was 
married to Keziah Winters. They boarded at different places 
until the house was finished, moved into it in 1834 and lived 
in it forty-four" years. 

The first regular packet boat that plied between Bellevernon 
and Brownsville was the Minnie Harris, commanded by Capt. 
McGinnis. It was a neat little screw propeller. It was succeeded 
by the W. Q. Shrodes, Capt. Brooks. It was a stern wheel 
boat of small size. These boats were in service in 1872-73. 
The next boat in the trade was the Athletic, Capt. O. D. 
Johnson, who was drowned November 9, 1876, whilst landing 
a barge at the Gibson ton wharf. . At the administrator's sale 
of the estate of O. D. Johnson, the Athletic was sold to 
Bowell, Bowers & Loomis, J. M. Bowell and Morgan Bowers 
of this place, purchasing one-half and Stephen Loomis, of 
Lock No. 4, the other half. They commenced to run her Jan- 
uary 17, 1877, and in 1878, Bowell and Bowers became sole 
owners. They sold it in 1881 to W. H. Moore, and built at 
Brownsville complete the J. M. Bowell, and in 1882 made the 
first trip. The J. M. Bowell on her trip on the 24th day of 
July, 1884, was capsized by a storm in the bend of the river 
below what is now called Coal Centre, and although over 
thirty passengers were aboard only one was drowned. 

Alex Austin was the first barber. He had his shop about 
1859 on Main street, where is now the office of Dr. Van 
Voorhis. It had, before Austin's time, been occupied by dif- 
ferent persons, among whom was H. B. Frye, who kept in it 
the first confectionary in town. Austin entered the ministry 
of the African M. E. Church, and in about 1860 moved to 
Barnesville, Ohio. He died not long ago after having been 
rather a prominent man in the church. 

The present resident barbers are George Bolden, Wilbur Min- 
nie and Conrad Metz. George came to town in 1872, had liis first 
shop and lived in a house not far below Second and Water 



434 The Old and Neio Monongahela. 

streets. Minnie came to town a few years ago, and first 
worked in the rear of Jacob T. Roley's store on State Koad. 
He is now located on Second street and Long alley, and Bol- 
den on Main street above Locust alley. 

The last licensed hotel in town was in the brick corner now 
owned by L. Z. Birmingham. It was kept by R. C. Byers, 
now a resident of Monongahela City. 

Somewhere about 1859-60 R. L. Kenah had a drug store in 
part of the room recently occupied as a part of the laundry re- 
cently burned on Main street. In a short time moved it to the 
Wise store room, and finding the business would not pay, he 
removed to Beaver county, where he still carries on the busi- 
ness. The town now has four paying drug stores (1893.) 

In the winter of 1853-54 existed the most successful literary 
society in town of which we have any account. Among the 
active members we recollect very distinctly the names of Rev. 
James Davidson, Rev. J. W. Planett, J. J. A. Reynolds. 
John C. Gabler, William lianey, J. S. Yan Voorhis, James 
H. Speers, J. C. Hasson. During its existence the members 
had a very fine literary entertainment in the old Methodist 
Episcopal church above Strawberry alley, a program of which 
Rev. James Davidson has in his possession. 

The first festival was held in 1862 by the Ladies' Soldiers' 
Aid Society, the proceeds of which purchased certain articles 
of clothing for the soldiers, whom the people had conceived 
were not sufiiciently provided for by the government. The 
festival was held in the old school house on the hill, where 
now stands the residence of R. J. Linton. Provision beyond 
measure was sent in by the soldiers' friends until the house 
would scarcely contain it and leave room for the gi'cat gathering 
of the people; never before or since had the old building so 
many people within its walls. Music on the organ and vocal 
were features of the occasion. Among the music was "Twenty 
Years Ago," sung and played by the late Prof. Fulton, who 
was a soldier at home on furlough. 

The election in 1872 was held in the bellfrey of this same 



The Old and New Monongahela. i35 

school house, it being fixed for the purpose on the torn down 
foundation. From that year to the present elections have been 
held in the old Speers brick house near the ferry, 

SPEERS. 

Henry Speers and Regina, his wife, were born in Germany, 
and in about the years 1771-'72 settled on what is now known 
as the Gibsonton farm. ^Henry Speers had four sons, Jacob, 
Solomon, Noah and Henry, and one daughter, as far as we can 
ascertain, who was the wife of Benjamin Frye, one of the 
executors of the estate. Henry died in 1773. His son Jacob em- 
igrated to Kentucky in early days, where for many years he was 
a successful business man, and from whom the Kentucky Speers 
had their origin. Solomon was killed by the Indians, on Salt 
river, in Kentucky, where he had gone to engage in trapping 
and trading. Henry, born July 8th, 1756, was sixteen years 
old when his parents located near the present town of Belle- 
vernon. He married Rebecca Frye, a daughter of Abraham 
Frye, Sr., September 21th, 1777. She died July 16th, 1835. 
T^is Henry Speers and wife were the parents of thirteen 
children, only a few of whom we have knowledge. Henry, all 
of his married life, resided on the farm called " Speers Intent,'' 
opposite Bellevernon. He was long a member of the Baptist 
church, was licensed to preach by the church of Enon, May 
5th, 1793, and ordained by Rev. John Cobley, on the last 
Saturday of March, 1797, and he continued as pastor of Enon 
church to the day of his death, which was January 26th, 1840. 
Enon church was located in chief, opposite Bellevernon. He 
was the principle man in building up this church, the members 
of which at first worshiped in the old log building long since 
gone, but more recently in the brick howse still standing on the 
hill near the ferry, and now owned by his grandson, S. C. 
Speers. The old log church is said to have been built prior to 
the old Horse Shoe Presbyterian church, which stood on the 
farm long known as the Simon Wilson, back of Lock No. 4, 
but owned by his son John Wilson. The brick mansion near 



436 The Old and Neio Monongahela. 

the ferry owned and occupied now by his grandson, Noah 
Speers, was built by him, that is Henry Speers, in 1806. One 
of his sons was a soldier in the war of 1812, was in the battle 
of New Orleans with Gen. Jackson. He lived for many years 
in the log house on Maple creek, where the late Geo. Norris 
so long resided ; he died many years ago in the old log house 
on the south branch of the same stream where the widow of 
the late Joseph Beazell now lives. 

Samuel, another son of Henry Spee'rs, was also a soldier in 
the war of 1812, exposure in the army caused him to be a 
cripple in his last days, which were passed in the mansion near 
the ferry. Many of our older citizens will call to mind 
"Uncle Sam" with his many peculiarities of character. He 
was never married. John passed most of his life at Dunbar, 
in Fayette county. His heirs still own part of the farm above 
the original Speers farm, on the river. This tract of land was 
in early day owned by Col. Edward Cook, one of the most 
prominent public actors in the settlement of Western Pennsyl- 
vania. At Dunbar he had a mill and a farm which are yet 
property of his heirs, although the mill has ceased to grind. 
He had quite a large family, several of whom have passed 
away. One of the daughters of Henry Speers married Geo. 
Hill, of Ten Mile, in Washington county; another was the 
wife of William Ward, deceased, who lived many years in the 
brick house about one mile above Twilight, in Washington 
county. Kattie married John McCrory. Apollos, the remain- 
ing son, was born near the ferry September 8, 1801. After 
his marriage to Elizabeth Cooper, who died at Marshalltown, 
Iowa, September 13, 1874, he lived for a time at Fish Pot, 
on Ten Mile. With this exception he resided all his life in the 
ferry brick house where he died February 23, 1857, and was 
buried in the grave yard overlooking his residence, a site se- 
lected by his father as a burial place. Apollos had five sons 
and six daughters. Solomon C. resides on part of the "Speers 
Intent" tract, below the ferry. Noah still owns and occupies 
the brick homestead of his father and grandfather. Jasper 



The Old and New Monongahela. 437 

died January 8, 1859. Jacob and Henry have been residents 
for many years of Marshalltown, Iowa. Margaret married 
Enoch Baker, of Ten Mile. Nancy, now deceased, married 
Samuel Frye. Mary married B. W. Johnson, and now resides 
at or near Marshalltown, Iowa. Clara married James Walker, 
and lived near the same place, so does Sarah. Noah, the 
remaining son of Henry Speers, the older, was not three 
years old when his father settled on the Gibsonton farm, 
where he, Noah, died June 9, 1832. 

He not only owned the Gibsonton farm, including the tract 
now belonging to John W. Irons, but also the farm on which the 
late L. M. Speers so long resided, together with the ground 
on which Bellevernon is situated. He carried on farming very 
extensively, and had under him a large number of slaves. He 
was founder of Bellevernon. His wife, who was a daughter 
of Abraham Frye, Sr. , died May 12th, 1845. The remains of 
Noah and his wife are buried in what is known as the Gibson- 
ton graveyard, on the old Speers homestead. Noah left a 
large family to enjoy his estate as disposed of by his will, dated 
June 2nd, 1832, just seven days before his death, which was 
caused by the kick of a horse. Jacob married a daughter of 
the late Major John Power, of Rostraver, and resided for 
many years on that part of the Speers honiestead now owned 
by John W. Irons. He built the brick house still standing above 
the ])ublic road. ' Thomas Taggart did the carpenter work and 
Joseph Pearson, we think, did the laying of the brick. In 
about 1846 Jacob moved to Illinois, where he still lives at a 
good age. Solomon, after living for nearly half a century in 
tlie brick house near the ferry, removed west in 1857, where 
he died in 1860. Noah W. inherited the old homestead; we 
have already written in detail his career. 

Louis M. Speek. 

For more than fifty years Louis M. Speer was the most 
prominent factor in the history of Bellevernon. Although 
dead, his many good qualities of head and heart will not soon 

30 



438 Ihe Old cmd New Monongahela. 

be forgotten. He was nearly six feet in height, of a dark 
complexion, and in weight bordering on 180 pounds. His dis- 
position was excitable, yet firm, though pliable to reason and a 
sense of right. He was born July 26, 1810, in the old log 
mansion on the Speer -homestead, now the Gibsonton farm. 
He was tutored to the business of farming by his father, Noah 
Speers, and always more or less manifested much of his father's 
disposition and habits of life. He married Miss Jane Finley, 
daughter of the late Wm. Finley, who lived all his life near 
Rehoboth church, and died in the stone house still standing 
near that church. Mrs. Speer died March 13, 1857, in the 
brick house built and so long owned by her husband. After 
their marriage they went to housekeeping in the old log house 
which stood in front of the brick house. The old house was 
removed by Alexander Austin, the barber, in 1843, to Belle- 
vernon hill, and was for many years the residence of Peter 
Lehew. It has given way to Lehew's present fine residence 
on Market street, near Strawberry alley. Louis was one of the 
most successful farmers of his day. He was the pioneer sand 
dealer in the valley, his acres of sand yielded him a very hand- 
some revenue. At first it was washed and prepared for the 
glass manufacturer by hand power. The apparatus consisted 
of a square trough about two by ten feet long. The rude sand 
was taken from the field on his own farm by cart and horse to 
the wash, then shoveled into the trough, water turned on, 
stirred well and then the sand was settled to the bottom by 
clubs beating the sides, the dirty water running off in the mean- 
time. After being washed it was stored in sand pens to await 
market. We call to mind the wash below the present Jones 
barn; the one near the present residence of Geo. Fisher, and 
another near the present residence of J. T. Roley. Then came 
the horse power over the river near the old Tremont school 
house where he washed sand taken from the land of Noah 
Speers. Finally he was connected with the steam washer op- 
posite town, now owned by S. C. Speers. In addition, he 
dealt in stock, lurnber, coal and merchandise. Early in the 



The Old and New Monongahela. 439 

late war he was appointed inspector of horses in the Quarter- 
master Department at Indianapolis, to which place he repaired 
and entered upon the discharge of his duties. He soon dis- 
covered that his honest manner respecting the office was not 
compatible with the surroundings, so that rather than be 
annoyed by attempts to swerve him from a correct and open 
discharge of his duties, he resigned in a very short time. 

His first wife was Jane Finley, daughter of William Finley, 
and grand daughter of the Rev. James Finley who was the 
first pastor of Rehoboth. She died March 13th, 1857. They 
had as children William F., who married Mary, daughter of 
the late James S. Power. At the beginning of the late war 
William raised a company of Cavalry, went into the service as 
second lieutenant, served dvn'ing most of the time as captain, 
and at the close of the war was honored for meritorious services 
with the brevet rank of major of cavalry. With his father he 
carried on boat building and the coal business for many years. 
After their financial embai'rassment in 1877, William moved 
to Sewickley on the Ohio river, where he was a member of the 
Pittsburgh Boat Building Company. He is now (1892) con- 
nected with a brick manufacturing company in Pittsburgh and 
resides on Atwood street. 

Noah Q. has long been connected with the sand business, 
both with his father and more recently as a member of the 
Speer White Sand Company, which has extensive crushing and 
washing works on the Youghiogheny river, and at Mapleton 
on the Pennsylvania ^Railroad, in Huntingdon county. He 
built the residence in Bellevernon now owned and occupied 
by Levi J. Jeffries. He resides at this time in BenYenue, in 
Pittsburgh. His wife is a daughter of the late Hon. Aaron 
Bugher, of Fayette City, who represented Fayette county in 
the Legislature in 18-11. The other sons of Louis M. Speer 
are by his first wife — J. R. Hughes and Eddie, now deceased. 
The daughters are Mary, Margaretta and Celia. Margaretta, 
more familiarly known by the name of Rettie, married her 
cousin, Solomon P. Speer. They reside in Baltimore, where 



440 The Old and New Monongahela. 

he is an active and successful business man. Mary married 
Rev. T. S. Park; tliey live in Illinois. Celia married Rev. R. 
B. Porter; they reside on the border of Butler and Allegheny 
counties, the name of the town we can not recall. 

In about the year 1859, Louis M. Speer married Miss Fannie 
Stewart, of Colerain Forge, in this state. The children by this 
marriage, who are now living are David S., Calhoun, and 
John S. v., little Frankie having died in infancy, his remains 
are in the Bellevernon cemetery marked by a beautiful monu- 
ment. In 1878, Louis M. Speer and wife with their three boys 
by his second wife moved to Wooster, Ohio. From the day 
of his financial trouble Louis M. Speer seemed to fail in heart 
and body, and on the 15th day of September, 1883, he died 
whilst on a visit to his daughter Mary, near Cadiz Junction, 
Ohio. His remains were brought on the 18tli to Bellevernon 
and interred at Rehoboth. The exercises attending the burial 
were graphically described in a communication in the Monon- 
gahela Dally Repuhlican which we insert : 

Bellevernon, Pa., September lOtli, 1883. 

Dear Colonel : — Yesterday we laid to rest in Rehoboth grave 
yard along side the wife of his youth, the remains of my old 
friend L. M. Speer. As the body was borne by his sons from 
the depot, the four bells of Bellevernon sent forth their solemn 
echoes in memory of the dead proprietor. At the ferry wharf 
the people en masse in open ranks with uncovered heads met 
the cortege of sorrowing friends, and as it passed through to 
the Presbyterian church, a death stillness reigned and every 
heart seemed impressed with emotion. The large concourse 
of people in and around the church was made up of his former 
fellow citizens in every walk of life. The old and young all 
seemed to vie in attempts to honor his memory. In the church 
erected principally by his own liberal it}^ and of which he had 
been a member for many years, the services were conducted ])y 
Rev. D. K. Nesbit, of Hazelwood, assisted by Revs. Baker 
and Leonard of this place. The body in full dress was encased 



The Old and New Monongahela. 441 

in a beautiful iron casket weighing over seven hundred pounds. 
The remains were followed to the grave yard by a long line of 
carriages and two spring wagons conveying the town councils 
of both boroughs, which had turned out in their corporate 
capacity to do honor to his memory. 

As the solemn procession approached his old homestead 
every eye was turned and every heart filled with recollections 
of the past. Here he first located, here he passed his early 
and greater part of his active and useful life, here his children 
were all born ; and from this sacred temple he had borne the re- 
mains of his first love. Here he lived when he gave himself 
to that God in whom he trusted to the last. At Rehoboth an 
additional crowd had convened to honor the remains. On 
their return the friends in sorrow were entertained by kind 
hearts all over town. 

For two generations he had furnished employment to a large 
proportion of the citizens of Bellevernon, whereby they were 
fed and clothed. As a farmer, boat builder, coal operator and 
merchant, he was generous and ever ready and willing to lend 
a helping hand to the needy. It could truly be said of him 
that he fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick. 
He joined in every enterprise that promoted local or general 
interest of the valley of which he had so high estimate. Thus 
has passed away one who in my early struggles with the world 
was ever ready to give a word • of cheer ; in maturer age a 
companion in whom 1 could trust and in whose death is a loss 
I cannot estimate the value thereof. 

Yours truly, J. S. V. 

Few men in this valley had rendered more service to his 
fellow men than Louis M. Specr. He was a good neighbor, a 
kind friend and a human benefactor. He was about the last of 
the cotemporaies who gave caste to the infant Bellevernon, 
His name will not soon be forgotten. It is written everywhere 
around his native place in deeds of charity and benefaction. 
The world is the loser by the death of such men. 



442 The Old and Neiio Monongahela. 

Lonis M. Speer had a brother James who died in early life, 
and Abrani, who studied medicine but never practiced his pro- 
fession very much. He lived and died in the old log house 
long known as the Rev. Dr. Smith house, which stood in Ros- 
traver, near the brick house erected by S. F. Jones, and now 
owned by the heirs of Robert Fairman, on the road leading 
from town to Webster. He was the father of David P. Charles 
and Solomon Speers, of Elizabeth, Pa. Louis M. Speer had 
several sisters all of whom we think are dead. Clarissa married 
Andrew Ford, of Fayette county; Lucinda married Wm. Mills, 
one married Samuel Walker, long a boat builder at Elizabeth, 
and another was the wife of Robt. McFarland, of Lower St. 
Clair, in Allegheny county. Jacob and Noah W. are the only 
living ones of the family. 

Death of Col. William F. Speer, Bkick Manufacturer 
AND Steamboat Builder. 

Lieutenant Colonel William F. Speer died September 15, 
1893, after a lingering illness at his residence, 321 Atwood 
street, Pittsburgh, Pa. Over a year ago he was getting in a 
car on the Central traction road when the car started and he 
was run over. His right arm was crushed and his back hurt. 
He was never well afterward, and Bright's disease developed. 
He was a very sick man for some months past, all hope of his 
recovery being given up weeks ago by his relatives. 

Colonel Speers was the son of the late Louis M. Speers, a 
well known boat builder, and was born in Bellevernon, Sep- 
tember 3d, 1835. He received his collegiate education at the 
college at Washington, Pa., and at the outbreak of the rebel- 
lion entered the service of his country, enlisting as a private. 
He was made a second lieutenant, and then promoted to lieu- 
tenant colonel in a general order from the war department for 
coolness and daring courage on the field. He was captured 
and served three months in Libby prison. After he was ex- 
changed he served as provost marshal in the Shenandoah Yal- 
ley, and there had the pleasure of administering the oath of 



The Old and New Monongahela. 443 

allegiance to the United States to the man who had made him 
a prisoner a short time before. He was wounded at Winches- 
ter, and at the close of the war was mustered out after an 
active service of three years and three months. He was a 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and served as 
commander of Hays Post, No. 3, of Encampment No. 1 of 
the Union Yeteran Legion and of Pennsylvania Commandery 
of the Loyal Union. After the war Colonel Speers engaged in 
boat building with his father at Bellevernon under the firm 
name of L. M. & W. F. Speer. In 1879 he moved to 
Sewickley, later to Freedom, following the same business. In 
1885 he severed his connection with the firm and embarked in 
the manufacture of brick under the name of the Speer Brick 
Company. His wife, three sons and one daughter survive him, 
his oldest son having died last April. One of his sons, Captain 
L. M. Speer, is a member of the firm of John A. Wood & Co. 
the coal men, and another son, Harry, was engaged with him 
in the brick business. The third son is with the furniture firm 
of Jacobs & McGilvray. Colonel Speer had a large family 
connection, Noah Q. Speer, of the Speer Sand Company, and 
J. R. Speer, of D.enver, are his brothers, and Mrs. Rev. 
Thomas S. Park, of Tower Hill, 111, Mrs. S. P. Speers, of 
Baltimore, Md., and Mrs R. B. Porter, of Mars, Pa., are his 
sisters. Colonel Speer was well known by all the river and 
army men, and his genial di&position and social qualities made 
him a general favorite. He was buried in Homewood 

cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

David Furnier. 

David Furnier was born in France. He left France to escape 
the persecution of the Protestants by the Catholic church. He 
first settled near H'agerstown, Md. At what particular time 
he came to Western Pennsylvania we cannot ascertain. He 
must have settled on Speers run or in the vicinity about the 
years 1771-'72, as his dealings with Henry Speer the older will 
fihow. Among other lands Henry Speer held a right to a tract 



4:4:4: The Old and Neio Monongaliela. 

of land with a river front of 29 perches, at the mouth of Speers 
run, and in the aggregate on each side of said run including 
94 acres, which was granted by letters patent to Regina Speers, 
widow and executrix of Henry Speers deceased, dated June 
21st, 1774, and the said Regina Speers in order to fill a con- 
tract made by her husband in his life-time, by her deed dated 
March 31st, 1798, did convey a part of said tract to David 
Furnier to whom Noah Speers, one of the heirs of Henry 
Speers, by deed dated May 30th, 1798, did also convey an 
adjoining part. Near the Monongahela river and just where 
boats are now being built, the old log house was erected and 
stood for many years after it ceased to be occupied. Whether 
this house was built by Henry Speers or David Furnier we do 
not know, but as land was held pretty much by tomahawk 
right prior to the first issuing of patents by the state and as 
Speers had a mansion a short distance below this house, it is 
altogether likely that Furnier had this log house erected even 
before the tract was patented or deeded to him, under the con- 
tract spoken of above. A verbal contract was sacredly held 
inviolate in early days. 

Besides this tract, Furnier owned additional land up the said 
run, most of which is now the property of the heirs of Levi 
Johnson. The title of much of this land was in dispute and has 
been the source of much litigation. The original tract of land 
on the river was deeded by the heirs of Furnier to Solomon 
Speers in 1823, and in after years Solomon sold it to L. M. 
Speer, and is now the property of S. F. & Wm. Jones. On 
this river tract was built in a very early day a flouring mill, 
which stood just below the present stone house owned by 
Samuel McKean. It was a log mill run by water power. From 
all we can learn the firm of Elliott & Williams erected this old 
mill and had a store in connection therewith, but sometime 
prior to 1790, David Furnier became sole proprietor of both 
mill and store, yet there is no record to show that Elliot & 
Williams ever owned by deed the mill. The probability is 
that they erected this mill on a lease for a term of years, which 



The Old and New Monongahela. 445 

was no uncommon custom in those days. On Furnier assum- 
ing the control of the mill and store with his distillery attached 
thereto, the whole concern was carried on under the name of 
"The Barter Mills," as is shown by the day book, running 
through the years 1790-91, in the possession of the writer at 
this time, the said book being kept by Jacob Bowman, David 
Furnier's clerk: Jacob Bowman was a poor boy when he 
entered first into the employ of David Furnier, in time he 
became one of the most wealthy and influential men of 
Brownsville, Pa. 

The term " Barter Mills " arose from the fact that in the 
change of the owner of the mills, there was some kind of a 
trade or barter. The mill, distillery, store and farm made up 
a large business. The books were kept in the money denomi- 
nation of pounds, shillings and pence. This was the first store 
in this vicinity, and at the same time lie had one at what was 
known as Devore's ferry, opposite Monongahela City. Fur- 
nier's books show considerable trading with this last store, as 
well as one in Pittsburgh, known in the day book as the Pitts- 
burgh store. He also traded with the store at Beckets, now 
known as Dagg's ferry. Grain from all the surrounding country 
was brought to Furnier. The rye was made into whiskey, and 
the wheat into flour, and sold in Pittsburgh to which place it 
was taken by trade boats and over land in wagons. 

July 2, 1791, store at Pittsburgh, Dr. to sundries, including 
142 barrels of fine flour, 84 do of superfine, 5 quarts of 
whiskey for the boatmen, 10 pounds bacon, 1 tin cup, 16 
pounds bread, 1 blanket, all shipped on board the Enterprise 
under the direction of Mr. John Bartlett, the whole amounting 
to £323 or ^1,615 in federal money. We can thus see what 
an extensive business this "Barter Mills" carried on. 

Among the customers in the day book we may name 
Reasoner, Reeves, McLaughlin, Shepler, McCoy, Cummings, 
Cissley, Speers, Corwin, Kerr, Ellis, Stewart, Hall, Patterson, 
Cook, Hilleryhand, Leard, Spharr, Bonchom, Hill, Albin, 
Barkhammer, Lippincott, Fulton, Springer, Fell, Housman, 



446 The Old and Neva Monongahela. 

Frye, Robinson, Burgan, Bigham, West, Cunningham, Rutan, 
Crawford, Quimbj, Cooper, Beazell and many other of the 
early settlers. This was perhaps the largest business firm in 
the valley at that time. The distillery was situated some dis- 
tance up the run above the log mill. It gave way to the stone 
still house that stood near the present green house of Samuel 
McKean. We have no information of what disposition Furnier 
made of the store before his death, which occurred in the fall 
of 1807. His will dated September 15th, 1807, does not 
mention particularly any disposition of property only in a 
general way. The old log mill gave way to the large brick 
mill erected in 1803. This mill stood near the present stone 
bridge across Speers run, and not far from the residence now 
occupied by Mr, Curl. This mill was torn down in the years 
1836-'37, and a part of the brick rei:fiain to this day in the old 
school house in Gould's hollow. The saw mill which stood 
near the site of the brick mill, was no doubt erected by Solomon 
Speers after he became owner of the land. 

David Furnier had brothers, Henry, John and James. 
James was unmarried, lived with Henry in Washington county, 
and died of sunstroke, 

John, too, never married. He had a tannery on the farm 
now owned by John Irons, below town, then belonging to one 
of the early Reeves. He had a store at Becket's, now known 
as Dagg's ferry. He boarded with Becket while running the 
store, and rode on horseback between his two places of busi- 
ness. He sold out his business and went west, where he died 
long ago- This man, Joseph Becket, Jacob Bowman and 
Polly Furnier were the executors and executrix named in 
Furnier's will, which was witnessed by Dr. Bela Smith, Daniel 
Burgan and Manasseh Reeves, all well known in early days. 

The remaining brother of David Furnier, Henry, built the 
stone part of the house near the river, in Allen township, 
Washington county, in which his son, Simeon, died in 1848, 
and now owned by Philip Johnson. Henry had quite a large 
family, among whom the best known in this neighborhood were 
Simon and David. Simeon married Jane Stout; his children 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 447 

were Henry, Jesse, John W., William, Simeon and Mary. 

Henry's oldest son, David, married a Dunlevy, sister to the 
late Andrew Dunlevy. Her mother was a Crawford, and 
sister to the wife of the distinguished Colonel Edward Cook, 
of the Rehoboth valley. This David Furnier had also a large 
family, among whom we call to mind Andrew, of Allenport, 
David, deceased in 1893, of the vicinity of lock No. 4, and 
Matilda, wife of the the late Apollos Speers, who for years 
was a cabinet maker in Bellevernon. 

David Furnier, the older, had two sons and two daughters. 
Bella died when quite young; Matilda never married, and lived 
and died on the old Homestead; Lucinda married Judge James 
Fuller, of Perryopolis in Fayette county, both are dead. They 
were the parents of the well known Fuller boys, who have been 
for years extensive cattle dealers in Philadelphia. They own 
the old Fuller homestead near Perryopolis, together with an 
additionnl large tract adjoining it. It has the reputation of 
being the best improved farm in the county. 

Furnier' s son Bowman, named after Jacob Bowman, lived 
on part of the Furnier homestead. He is deceased. He mar- 
ried a Miss Ebbert, who has been dead a number of years. 
Bowman had three daughters and six sons. Mary married the 
late M. F. Cook. Priscilla never married and remains at 
home. Matilda, the wife of James French, who was a fixture 
in Bellevernon for nearly half a century; both are dead. 
Thornton entered the army in the late war and never returned 
home. David is a mlll-wright and resides near Dawson, Penn- 
sylvania. Levi remains a part of his father's home. Volney 
is in California. John was a resident of Bellevernon, now 
dead, and Hugheson died when twelve years old of congestion 
of the brain. Polly, widow of David Furnier, married Robt, 
Johnson. The only issue of said marriage being Levi John- 
son, deceased, a few years since. Mrs. Johnson died May 24, 
1851, many years after the death of her second husband, and 
forty-four years after the decease of David Furnier, her first 
husband. Furnier, Johnson, Polly, their wife, and Levi and 
his wife, are buried at Rehoboth. 



44:8 The Old and Neio Monongahela. 



CORWIN. 

Aunt Polly has passed away, was on the lips of almost every 
one on Friday evening as her death was announced. Mrs. 
Mary Smock Corwin was ninety-seven years old on Wednes- 
day prior to her death, which occurred Friday, January 6, 1888. 
She was born January 4, 1791, on the farm now owned by 
Capt. Joseph Shepler, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland 
county, Pa. The farm at that time was owned by one Joseph 
Becket — a name well known in the early history of Western 
Pennsylvania. She was a daughter of Barnet Smock, who 
emigrated from New Jersey in 1789. Her father lived on this 
farm twenty-one years. The maiden name of the mother 
of the deceased was Jane Berdine. She was inarried to Peter 
Wene, by whom she had three children, named Sarah, Anna 
and Jane. Barnet Smock was her second husband. The de- 
ceased was married to Morris Corwin at Brownsville by Esq., 
Elias Baillins, on the 18th day of June, 1807. Morris Cor- 
win died in Bellevernon, September 20, 1835, in the same 
house in which his wife died. Aunt Polly Corwin, as she was 
familiarly called, and her husband came to Bellevernon April 
1, 1816, and occupied the house in which she died. She lived 
in this same house for seventy-two years, with the exception of 
three months. She lived to know that the sugar camp of three- 
quarters of a century ago had become a thriving town of two 
thousand souls. She outlived three generations of citizens. 
She was born in the early days of Washington's first term as 
President. She was born amid the struggles and trials of the 
new Government, and lived to the time when that Government 
had extended its limits from ocean to ocean, and its population 
increased from 4,000,000 to 60,000,000. 

Since her birth new territory has been added sufficient to 
make forty states, each in size equal to all the original thirteen 
if combined in one. She lived to see the pack horse give way 
to the common wagon, Conestoga wagon, stage coach, canal 
boat and finally to the locomotive with its sixty miles an hour. 



The Old and New Monongahela. 449 

The telegraph and telephone had not yet been iti the dreams of 
invention. At her birth the Monongahela valley was known 
only as the hunting ground of the Indian, with here and there 
a settlement of the sturdy pioneer, for it is a remarkable fact 
that the upland out from the river was first occupied by the 
white man. Shepler's hill, on which the deceased was born, 
attracted very early the attention of immigrants. She lived to 
see the rise, progress and final doom on a desert isle, of Na- 
poleon, the man of fortune and of destiny. She outlived three 
American wars, and had realized in her day that the western 
wilds had become fields of ever blooming flowers, and that the 
glad tidings of the Gospel of the Son of God had been pro- 
claimed in every tongue and nation of the globe. There were 
but three families in Bellevernon when she moved into it. 

The deceased was a member of the Christian church since 
about 1843, and alwaj's a faithful attendant at public worship 
whilst her health permitted, and above all her walk and con- 
versation gave fruit of a true Christian woman. Although for 
years deprived of seeing the outer world, owing to a loss of 
sight, and being confined to bed for many years, yet she never 
murmured against the Almighty, but earnestly longed and 
prayed for the time to come when she could see her Savior 
face to face, and just before her departure she repeated clearly 
and earnestly these words of a familiar hymn: 

How loug, dear Savior, Oh ! how long 

Will these bright hours delay ! 
Fly swift around ye wheels of time 

And bring the welcome day. 

Except during the last months of her life, her recollections 
of the past were very vivid, and to her memory the writer is 
indebted for very much of the early history of Bellevernf>n and 
vicinity. She recalled an incident which happened to her per- 
sonally on the day of the funeral of Rev. James Finley, whicli 
occurred in 1795, she being only four years old. She remem- 
bers very well of being present at the birth of our citizen, Robert 
Fatterson, who will be 80 years old next St. Patrick's day ( 17th 



450 The Old and New Monongahela. 

of March). Whilst her health permitted, she was ever ready 
to extend a helping hand to the sick and needy, and she was 
present at the birth of more children than any other woman 
who ever lived in the valley. Not one pf her early kindred or 
associates are living. She was the mother of Barnet, James, 
John and William Corwin. John and William are dead and 
Barnet is dead also. His first wife was a Miss Coll, sister of 
Mrs. Thomas McFall and Mrs. Alex. Frazier. By his first 
wife Barnet had two children, John W., the Main street 
grocer, and Mary. Mary was taken into her grandmother's 
family — Aunt Polly — when she was 11 years old, and remained 
with her until death separated them — a period of 41 years. 
In joy or sorrow, in sickness or health, Mary was ever alert in 
that household, and when her kind old grandmother was worn 
out by age and affliction, she was the ministering angel that 
soothed her pains and made soft her pillows until God took her 
dear one home. Barnet's second wife was a daughter of the 
late Joseph Springer, the issue of which marriage was several 
sons and daughters, most of whom are still living. His third 
wife was a Mrs. Cooper. 

James, the remaining son living of Aunt Polly, resides on 
Main street, Bellevernon. His first wife was Eleanor Walker, 
long since deceased. She left two daughters — Georgiana and 
Eva ; the latter is dead. His second wife also is deceased. 
Pier name was Indiana Jacobs. Her aged mother, Jane 
Jacobs, survives her and has been a resident of this town over 
55 years. James by his second wife has living William, 
Clarke, George, Elma, Alice and Lizzie. 

The funeral services of Aunt Polly were held Sunday at 2 
o'clock, January 8, and were conducted by Rev. Joel Baker, 
of the Free Will Baptist church, and Elder James M. Springer, 
of the Christian church. Her remains were interred in Belle- 
vernon cemetery, in full view of the place of her birth. One 
grandson and three great-grandsons acted as pall-bearers. 

Barnet Corwin, son of Aunt Polly, died July 20, 1889. 
He was taken sick with something 'like a sunstroke and paraly- 



The Old and New Monongahela. 451 

sis, and did not think much of it until taken to his bed, which 
he never left. He was born near Bellevernon, April 27, 1814, 
and grew up to manhood's estate. At the age of twenty he 
married a neighbor's daughter, Miss Nellie Call. To this 
union came three children, J. W., Marj and Baker, the latter 
dying quite young. Mrs. C. only lived six years, and then 
went to join her child in the realms of glory. 

Mr. Corwin married Miss Margaret Springer, and quite a 
family of children were born to them, those living being: 
Sarah A., Charles R. , Joseph F., Luther C, Rowland W., 
and A. Odell. The second Mrs. C. followed her children, and 
her name is sacred to the children left. Mr. Corwin did not 
like to be left alone, and about seven years ago he married the 
widow of Thomas Cooper, who survives him. He was always 
a highly respected citizen and his loss was a blow. He in 
early years was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
but later joined the Free Will Baptist church, of which he was 
a member at his death. He had not attended church in 
his last days on account of his hearing being defective. 
His fui^eral took place Monday morning at 10 o'clock, and the 
remains placed in the Bellevernon cemetery. The pallbearers 
were all grandchildren of the deceased. The last sad rites had 
been performed, when words similar to the following came to 
the minds of the mourners and brought relief. 

" Weep not for him who clieth, 
For he sleeps and is at rest, 
And the couch whereon he lieth 
Is tlie green earth's quiet breast." 

J. Wesley Coewin, 

Died on Saturday, November S, 1890, at his late res- 
idence on Main street, Bellevernon, Fa., of ])aralysis 
of the heart. He was born in the house adjoining liis 
late residence, well known as the "Aunt Polly Corwin 
house,*' July 6, 1834. He was the only son of his father, 
l^arnel Corwin, by his wife, Eleanor Call Corwin, He was 



452 The Old 07\d New Monongahela. 

married to Miss Margaret Jane Jacobs, June 21, 1866, by 
the Rev. Jordon C. Nye. He joined the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church of his native place in 1850, under the ministra- 
tion of the Rev. John Coil, by whom he was baptized. In 
1853 he transferred his church membership to the Free Will 
Baptist Church, during the ministration of Rev. David Winton. 
This church then worshipped in the old building near the corner 
of Wood street and Flint alley on the hill. In his new church 
relation the deceased assumed an active and influential posi- 
tion, and continued faithful to its interests and the cause of his 
Master to the end. He was among the first to agitate the pro- 
ject of erecting a new church edifice. To this end he devoted 
his untiring energy, and to him more than any one individual 
is that church indebted for the new building, now standing on 
the corner of Short and Speer streets. As a deacon in the 
church he was faithful and ever on the watch for its interests 
and the welfare of souls. x\s a citizen he was honest and 
upright in all his dealings, and was so regarded universally by 
the community in which he always lived. In the municipal 
affairs of his native borough he was often called to take part, 
and always performed his office satisfactory to his fellow citi- 
zens. At the time of his death he was a member of the school 
board of which he was treasurer. He leaves a wife, one son 
and sister, with several half brothers and one half sister, to 
mourn over his sudden departure. On Monday, October 10th, 
his remains were interred in Bellevernon cemetery, where 
three generations of his kindred await the resurrection morn. 
Blessed be his memory. His transition from earth to eternity 
was sudden, and without a struggle his eyes were closed in 
death and opened to behold the Son of Righteousness in all 
his glory. 

Death of Mrs. Sarah A. Springer. 

Mrs. Sarah A. Springer, wife of J. M. Springer, Esq., died 
on July 25th, 1893, and was interred in the Bellevernon cem- 
etery at 3 o'clock July 2Tth. She was born December 5th, 



The Old and New Monongaheh. 453. 

1825, in Rostraver township, and was in her 68th year. Her 
maiden name was Reeves, daughter ^of Samuel and Nancy 
Reeves, and she was united in marriage to J. ,M. Springer 
May 15th, 1847, and was the mother of nine children, all of 
whom survive her and who were present at the time of her 
death and burial. A true devoted Christian mother, it was 
her happy lot to see all her children grow to manhood and 
womanhood, and her's was the first death in the family. In 
this union was cemented, though existing, social ties between 
two of the oldest and best known families in this part of the 
state. Each of these families dating their settlement among 
the first in the wilderness of the Monongahela valley. 

Her disease was an acute affection of the stomach, from 
which she suffered deep and painful affliction for about five 
months. Her end was peace, and was marked by the quiet 
resignation of a long life earnestly spent in the service of the 
Master on high, and her bereaved husband and family have 
the heart-felt sympathy of a large portion of the community 
who knew her but to love her. The thought is, however, a 
consoling one — that their loss is her gain, as she has gone to 
reap the reward deservingly won. The funeral was attended 
by a large assemblage of relatives and friends, and the servi(;e 
was conducted by Rev. B. L. Kershner, pastor of the Christian 
church, assisted by Rev. Charles Clark, pastor of the Presby- 
terian charge at Rehoboth. 

J. B. Gould. 

John B. Gould was born in Hillsborough county. New 
Hampshire, June 6, 1795. He left the paternal roof at an 
early age to try his fortune amid the hills of the coast bound 
State of Maine, but in 1810 he emigrated from that State and 
came to the neighborhood of what is now known as the Red 
Lion, above Fayette City, Pennsylvania. In 1811, in com- 
pany with the families of a man named McCalla and Ziba 
Whiting, father of the late Geo. Whiting, of Fayette City, in 
all fifteen persons, immigrated to the territory of Louisiana. 

31 



15 J: Tlie Old mid Nev) Monongahela. 

Two of the men died there together with four of their children. 
GoLihl returned in 1812, and was the last to die of the com- 
pany. Shortly after his return to the Red Lion he became an 
apprentice to a Mr. Coldron to learn the scythe and sickle trade, 
and remained with him over four years. Miss Jane Trainer, 
an inmate of the household of the widow Whiting, early 
attracted the attentions of the young Gould, and after an en- 
gagement of five years, he concluded one day whilst " hoeing 
corn,'' that if Jane was willing and the next Ith of July came 
on Thursday and in the light of the moon, they would get 
married. He hastily consulted the never failing almanac, and 
to his great joy he found all right in accord with his wishes. 
They were married on the Ith day of July, A. D. 1824, and 
to use his own words, "in the year that Jackson first ran for 
President. " They located on the farm just above Bellevernon, 
a part of which he owned to the day of his death. 

They commenced housekeeping in the old log house that 
stood on the bank of the river, but what has long since passed 
away. He did not work much at his trade, but devoted his 
time generally to farming, and in the winter taught school. 
For many years Gould and John Wilson seemed to have a 
mortgage on the "art of teaching"" in the town and vicinity. 
Gould "kept school"" in the house now owned by W. P. 
Mackey on Main street, and in other houses about the town 
prior to the building of the brick school house on the hill and 
in the hollow. Many of our older citizens owe their early ed- 
ucation to the influence of Gould's ferule and birch. He in- 
formed the writer when speaking on the subject of education, 
that for a long time he regarded himself as one of the educa- 
tors of the land, but found in reality that ])rogress had so far 
outstripped his Yankee notions as to force him to acknowledge 
to having scarcely learned his A. B. C.'s half way. 

Gould was always held in high esteem by his fellow citizens. 
He held many offices in his adopted township of Washington. 
He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1845-50-55. He 
served as Assessor in 1840-51-54-62-65-68. He was Auditor 



The Old and New MonoiujaheXa. 465 

ill 1858-63-66. He was School Director in 1849. He served 
many years as Constable when that office was considered one 
of the most important in the township. His career as Justice 
marked well his effort to do right between man and man, and 
he spared no pains in settling petty cases without the process 
of law suits. Gould was one of the pioneers in the Disciple 
church of the town; and to him, more than anyone individual, 
is that people indebted for its success in the town. His wife 
died some years prior to his death, at the old homestead. 
Gould died September 9th, 1881, while on a visit to his 
daughter, Mrs. John Coldron, near Fayette City, in the 90th 
year of his age. His remains were interred beside those of 
his wife in the Bellevernon cemetery. They had several 
children, some of whom preceded the parents to the grave. 

Malissa married William Beam, and is now deceased. 
Lorena is the wife of John Coldron, above Fayette City. John 
resides in North Bellevernon. Ephraim is in Colorado. Elmer 
Morrison, a grandson, resides in Seldom Seen, a^ village being 
built on part of the old farm. He lives in his own home alone, 
and seems to enjoy life and the good will of his fellow citizens. 
Nancy Jane married Thomas Richards, now deceased. She 
lives in Zanesville, Ohio. One daughter married a Mr. 
McKinney, but where she resides we arc not informed. 
Another daughter married a Mr. Stout, and have their home in 
Kentucky. James has long been a resident of Illinois. 

John B. Gould, in politics, was always a democrat, having 
voted for every democratic candidate for president since the 
days of Madison, having voted the first time 1816. During 
the great know-nothing excitement in 1854, he was one of the 
ten democrats in Bellevernon district who stood up for William 
Bigler, the democratic candidate for governor. He always had 
a poor opinion of the know-nothing organization. 



456 The Old and Nev:) Monongahela. 



Wm. Eberheart. 

The first glass manufacturer in Bellevernon died at the resi- 
dence of his son-in-law, Leonard Laneheart, in Redstone town- 
ship, Fajette county, Feb. 23, 1882. He was born in New Geneva 
on the Monongahela, in the year 1800. He was the son of Adolph 
Eberheart, who emigrated from Germany and settled in New 
Geneva, soon after that place was founded by Albert Gallatin, 
a native of the city of Geneva in Switzerland. Gallatin had 
erected in his new Geneva home the first glass works in the 
west, and the older Eberheart was in his employ until Gallatin 
was called by President Jefferson in 1802 to a seat in his cabi- 
net as Secretary of the Treasury. At the time Gallatin entered 
Jefferson's cabinet, Adolph Eberheart became proprietor of the 
Geneva glass works, and in due time his son learned the glass 
blowing trade, William married Rachel Hutton, a sister of 
the late John James and Nathan Hutton, all well known in this 
community in their day. Not long after his marriage, in about 
1828, he moved to Williamsport, now Monongahela City, 
where for several years he followed his trade in the works of 
Wm. Ihmsen, at that time the most extensive window glass 
manufacturer in the west. One of his children died at that 
place, and its remains are now among the unknown relics of 
the old grave yard on the hill. Eberheart subsequently carried 
on the glass business at Albany, below Brownsville. In 1832 
he started in the same business in what was then called Free- 
port, afterwards Cookstown, and now known as Fayette City. 
In 1836 he removed to Bellevernon, where he purchased of 
Patton and Kendall the unfinished glass factory, ever since 
known as the old glass house. He first resided in the Demain 
house on Water street, now owned by the heirs of the late 
Capt. J. M. Bowell. From this house he moved to the house 
on Water street, near Third street, known as the Morgan Gas- 
kill house. About 1849 he purchased from John Niccolls the 
Noah W. Speer farm, now known as the Gibsonton 
farm. In 1852 he became financially embarrassed. In 1855 



The Old and Neio Monongahela. 457 

be closed up the glass business iu Bellevernon and removed 
to Fayette City, where for a time he aided one of his sons in 
the business. His daughter Elizabeth married Noah W. 
Speers. She died of yellow fever a few years ago in 
Memphis, Tennesse. 

His son, William, married Margaret L. Smith, grand 
daughter of the late Hon. George Plumer. Adolph married a 
daughter of the late William D. MuUin, Esq., of Fayette City, 
Rebecca married A. C. Housman, who, in 1847, kept the hotel 
now known as the Wise house, in Bellevernon. They left 
that house for Baltimore, Md., where they still reside. Allen 
K., another son, is perhaps the best known shoe man in Penn- 
sylvania. His first wife was a Reed, and present wife was of 
the name of Brick. He has for many years resided in Phila- 
delphia, and is now connected with the shoe firm of Graff, Son 
& Co., No. 512 Market street, Philadelphia. Thomas Niccolls 
married William Eberheart's daughter, Elma, in 1845. He 
died many years ago in Cincinnati. Her present husband is 
Leonard Lanehart. They live in ease and comfort in a beauti- 
ful home on the National pike, between Brownsville and 
Uniontown. Charles D., the remaining son, married a Miss 
Mason, daughter of Morgan Mason, a well known river man of 
Brownsville, but of later day a resident of Missouri. We are 
not able to say when Eberheart erected the second or new glass 
house, but it must have been in the early forties. The long 
and short rows, well known as the factory tenements, at the 
upper end of town, were built by him for his workmen. He 
also built the storeroom lately occupied by R. C. Schmertz & 
Co. Eberheart was very liberal in his views and treatment of 
men. In his day there were no butchers, so called, so that his 
men were supplied with eatables and meat at his well filled 
store. In the fall of the year he bought hogs by the score and 
distributed them ready dressed among his men. So with beef, 
he sold to his men a quarter at a time. His cellar and ware- 
house were frequently replenished. The writer has known fifty 
five barrels of molasses to ffo into the store cellar at one time, 



■158 Tlie Old and Neiv Monongahela. 

together with barrels and hogsheads of sugar. He generally 
purchased his stock of dry goods, &c., in Baltimore, and it was a 
common affair to see 12 W boxes of dry goods hauled from the 
wharf, now the ferry, with notions, hats, caps and hardware, 
in proportion. For convenience and as a labor saving machine 
it was the custom for many years to use his own script as 
money. This currency was charged on the books in sums as 
drawn by the employes, and taken back in return for goods. 
The script was issued in the denominations of 6J cents, 12^ 
cents, quarter and half and one dollar pieces. Specimens of 
this script is still preserved by some of the curious. 

Eberhcart was proverbally generous to the poorer class of his 
employes, in many instances would forgive a long extravagant 
account rather than oppress. Whilst a resident of the town he 
was not connected with any church, but had a high regard for 
all denominations. Whilst holding a pew for many years in 
Rehoboth, under the ministrations of Revs. Gillett and J. R. 
Hughes, he was a liberal contributor to the support of the Gos- 
pel in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bellevernon. 

In his day glass making was principally confined on this 
side of the mountains to Pittsburgh and the Monongahela val- 
ley. The Gallatin factory at New Geneva, the Albany, the 
Bellevernon, the Williamsport, the Elizabeth, the Cookstown, 
and the Perryopolis glass works were in early day in the valley, 
all of which, save those in Bellevernon, have long since passed 
away. They have been supplanted by one at Brownsville, one 
at Fayette City and one at Monongahela, City. 

Eberheart sold his glass chieHy in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, 
his son-in-law, N. W. Speers, being for many years his agent 
in the latter city. In his works he generally made two quali- 
ties of glass. The first quality was branded Bellevernon, and 
the second W. Eberheart. The sizes were principally 8 by 10 
and 12 by ]1, but in his latter days the size began to increase. 
It was the custom in his day to agree with the blowers for the 
fire early as February preceding the end of the current year 
ending July 1. Strikes and other troubles as now a days were 
unknown, harmony and good" feeling prevailing between the 



The Old and Neiu Monongahela. 451) 

employer and employes. Dr. David Porter was the 
next physician after Dr. Smith, who located in the 
Forks. He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, March 
17, 1794. His father, Wm. Porter, was a neighbor of 
Capt. Wm. Woolsey, who in early days owned the lands 
in Rostraver township, recently owned by Dr. Porter and 
now belonging to the heirs of Mrs. Levi Johnson, deceased. 
Wm. Porter took a lively interest in the whiskey insurrrection 
of 1794. On account of his open opposition to the enforce- 
ment of the whiskey law, he was compelled to flee from the 
' ' Forks. ' ' With his young wife he went to Wheeling where 
his son David was born. After the excitement of the insur- 
rection was over, Wm. Porter returned to Rostraver, where he 
taught school until his thirst for travel induced him to accom- 
pany Wm. Darby 'to New Orleans. The yellow fever was pre- 
valent at that time in the south, on account of which Darby 
refused to complete the journey. Darby returned, but Porter, 
not daunted, pushed forward to the city and was never heard 
from afterwards. Capt. Woolsey mourned over the loss of his 
friend. Being childless he adopted David as his own son, 
under whose care he was educated, and at his death, in 1834, 
David inherited his large estate. For more than half a century 
Dr. Porter was the leading physician of the "Forks.'' He 
was a man of good physical structure and very well adopted to 
endure the exposures of the pioneer doctor. 

He was a man of fine literary culture and a writer of more 
than local reputation. He was not a graduate of any Medical 
College, but in 1825 the Trustees of Jefferson College con- 
ferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine. 
The first wife of Dr. Porter was a daughter of the distinguished 
Dr. Obadiah Jennings. By this wife he had two sons and one 
daughter. The daughter married Levi Johnson both of whom 
are dead leaving Nelson and William as their only issue. 
Obadiah his son was a physician and died many years ago. 
William the surviving son died in Texas. The second wife of 
Dr. Porter was a sister of A. H. and J. B. Miller well known 



460 TJie Old and Nevj Monongahela. 

in their day. The only issue of this second marriage was their 
daughter Ada who died years ago. Mrs. Dr. Porter is now a 
resident of Uniontown. Dr. David Porter died in Uniontown 
September 22, 1875, the remains being interred in Rehoboth 
grave yard. 

Capt. Woolsey 

To whom Dr. Porter was so much indebted for his start 
in life was born in Ireland in 1748. He followed a sea faring 
life from early boyhood to the age of thirty years when he 
immigrated to this country and joined the continental army, in 
which he commanded a company, at the close of the war he 
settled on the farm on which Dr. Porter resided. He married 
Margaret Goe, who had immigrated to these parts co-temporary 
with Col. Edward Cook and many other well known early 
settlers. The common mode of traveling in those days was 
something different from that in use now a days. When the 
Goe family immigrated the children were carried in baskets sus- 
pended on each side of the horse — white and black mixed 
together, and on the way the races would occasionally kick up 
a fuss which would require the intervention of the parents and 
master to settle. The Captain though very eccentric in man- 
ner and customs had many good qualities of heart, and was 
very peculiar in his likes and dislikes. The few older citizens 
now living yet recall his peculiar traits of character. 

SPRINGER FAMILY. 

The name of Springer has long been identified with Belle- 
vernon and vicinity. It was introduced by the arrival of 
Michael Springer, who was born in Stockholm, Sweden, about 
1727, and came to this country somewhere in 1760. The exact 
date of his marriage is not known. His wife's surname was 
not known, but she was called Mary Ann. Michael Springer's 
father found Mary Ann asleep at the foot of a tree when she 
was supposed to be only about three years old. Her clothing 
was of tine quality, but nothing was found about her person or 



The Old and New MoiiGngahela. 401 

clothing to indicate who she was; all that she could remember 
was that she lived in a large house where there were lots of 
flowers and a big porch, and where one day she was when a 
man came riding along on a black horse and said, "Come, lit- 
tle lady, and take a ride." Michael Springer's father raised 
her, and his son (Michael) married her and emigrated from 
Germany to America about 1760. They first settled near 
Philadelphia, where Daniel was born September 15th, 1762, 
Michael Springer and family crossed the mountains about 1783 
on pack horses or mules, his wife carrying her spinning wheel 
on her back. They took by tomahawk right the land now 
(1893) owned by the heirs of James Ward, deceased, and 
others in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county. The 
tract originally contained 355^ acres, and was called Springers- 
burgh. The patent for this land was granted Daniel Springer 
dated May 18th, 1787, on a warrant issued to Michael Springer 
and signed by Benjamin Franklin, President of the Supreme 
Executive Council. Michael and Mary Ann had five children, 
John, Mathias, Michael, Mary and Daniel. The father died 
1797, and was buried in the family burial ground, near a part 
of the Bellevernon cemetery grounds. Their sons, Michael and 
Mathias, settled in the west. Mary married John Worley and 
moved to the west. 

The old homestead was given by will to Daniel. He mar- 
ried Rachel Higgins in 1790. He was born in Virginia in 
1760 and came to this region about the time the Springer fam- 
ily located in Rostraver. Daniel had eight children, Michael, 
Mathias, John, Joseph, James H., Nancy, Daniel and Martha. 
John married Sallie Billiter. John was killed by a limb from 
a tree which he was felling, in 1833. John had four children, 
Nancy, who married Harrison Hornbake; Rachel, who mar- 
ried Thompson Carmichael, and after his death she married 
Jesse Sills, who for many years lived in Bellevernon, but at 
his death was a resident of Ohio. John R. married a Miss 
Jordon, of Monongahela City. They lived for a time in Shel- 
byville, Indiana, but at last accounts were in the State of Call- 



462 The Old and New Mononc/ahela. 

fornia. Mary married Joseph Culler, of Rostraver, where 
they now reside. After the death of John Springer his widow 
married Luke Hornbeck. They lived for many years in the old 
log house that stood where is now the residence of George 
Scribner on the State road leading from Bellevernon to West 
Newton. Luke was a shoemaker by trade. He died July 22, 
1866. Daniel, son of Daniel the older, was never married, 
and has been dead many years. He lost the use of one leg 
from white swelling. He spent most of his time in studying 
music, though he had no voice for singing, but loved the 
science. 

Joseph, son of Daniel, married Margaret Driver. They 
lived in the old log house on the county line near town. The 
farm in part is owned by S. F. and Wm. Jones, and part now 
divided into lots forming the town of East Bellevernon. The 
ground was purchased from J. W. Carothers by Geo. C. Max- 
well and J. T. Roley, who laid out the town. Joseph had 
born to him twelve children. James and Newton died in 
childhood. Daniel was the oldest and married Rachel Jordon, 
who still survives her husband, who died October 21, 1870. 
Daniel lived most of his days in Bellevernon where his widow 
still resides. 

Martha married Barnet Corwin, both of whom are dead. 
John married Sarah A. Baily, and has been a resident of 
Brownsville for many years. Rachel and Lydia were twins. 
Rachel married James Carroll and died December, 1879. 
Lydia married Asa Hastings, who died in Brownsville in 1882. 
His widow lives in Findlay, Ohio. She was the mother of E. 
A. Hastings who published the first newspaper in Bellevernon. 
Nancy married Edward Cook, both of whom are dead. James 
M. married Sarah Reeves, and has been a resident of the town 
ever since their marriage in 181:7, excepting a short time in 
Mount Pleasant, Pa. He has long been an active citizen, 
having been honored by his fellow citizens with many offices of 
trust. With the expiration of his present term, 1893, he will 
have served forty years as Justice of the Peace. Joseph 



The Old and N'evj Monongahela. 463 

married Hannah J. Davidson. Tliej reside in Circleville, 
Westmoreland comity, Pa. William R. married Margaret 
Reed, and are residents of North Bellevernon. Margaret, the 
remaining daughter of Joseph Springer, married Frederick 
Browneller. They live in Findlay, Ohio. 

Joseph Springer, the father of these children, died at 
Brownsville June 20, 1871, and the mother October 28, 1876. 
James Higgins Springer, another son of Daniel the older, in- 
herited the old homestead. He married Sallie Smith, 
daughter of David Smith, a Revolutionary soldier, whose 
remains are in Rehoboth graveyard. He died in Webster, Fa., 
April 26, 1876, his wife having died January 17, 1864. Their 
remains are in the Bellevernon cemetery. They had seven 
children. Martina married D. B. H. Allen, who died Febru- 
ary 22, 1881. Sophia married Dr. J. R. Nickel, who died 
July 17, 1874, in Connellsville, Pa. Mrs. Nickel resides in 
Bellevernon. Theodore is married and lives in the west. 
Ancelmo married Barbara Newcomer and is a resident of 
Clinton, Iowa. Everil F. married Ella Huffman, of Iowa, and 
now lives in North Bellevernon, where he is in the drug busi- 
ness. Caroline died December 12, 1885. Rebecca is also 
dead. Martha, daughter of Daniel Springer the older, mar- 
ried James Beazell, who so long carried on blacksmithing 
where now Mr. Cowan has his shop, near the Bellevernon 
cemetery. James Beazell died February 28, 1868, and his 
wife October 18, 1869. Their remains are in Bellevernon 
cemetery. They had a large family, some of whom have 
passed aw^ay. We recall Jasper, now living in Cincinnati. Eliz- 
abeth, widow of Wm. Ballou, resides in North Bellevernon. 
James, now dead, and Albert, resided in California, where 
many years ago, Thomas Benton died. Mortimer, after having 
been in California for some years, returned to his native heath. 
Malissa and Anna reside on the old homestead. Rachel mar- 
ried Samuel Bedsworth, who resides near the old home. Jane 
lives at Ruifsdale, Westmoreland county. 



464 Tlie Old and New Monongahela. 

Andrew Dunlevy. 

In the early days of Bellevernon Andrew Dunlevy and 
his brother-in-law Geo. Hazelbaker carried on the manufacture 
of hats in the house at that time known as the Billiter house 
on Water below Third street. It was truly a manufactory as 
all the work was done by hand power. They not only made 
the popular wool hat of that day but also the fine fur hat. The 
wool hat did -a boy an undesirable long service. There seemed 
to be no wear out to it, as it was the custom at that day to 
iron over and shape anew the hat whenever it became dis- 
colored or presented an unseemly appearance. The fine fur 
hat was also subjected to a renovating process that made it 
good as new. This firm was the market for rabbit and mink 
skins, from which the fine fur hat was manufactured. Caps 
and mufliers, so called, were made from coon and fox skins 
with the tails as ornamental appendages. 

Andrew Dunlevy was born July 24, 1795, on the farm 
now owned by his son Jehu in Allen Township, Washington 
County, Pa. He died July 24, 1879, in the house still stand- 
ing a few rods distant from the spot where he was born. The 
farm is situated on the Monongahela river about one mile 
above Speer's ferry. This farm was the home of his parents. 
His mother was a Crawford, sister of the wife of Col, Edward 
Cook well known in the early days of the "Forks" neighbor- 
hood. The wife of Andrew Dunlevy was a daughter of the 
older Wm. Jackman who was father also of the late Jehu and 
Simeon Jackman well known citizens of Washington County. 

Andrew had five sons and two daughters. Joseph died in 
his youth. Anthony was drowned many ^^ears ago in Galves- 
ton Bay. William married a Furnier and resides in the west, 
Crawford married a lady in Brownsville, and has resided for 
some years near the hot springs, in Arkansas. Barbara married 
S. T. Williams, well known in former years in this vicinity; 
they now live in Iowa. The remaining daughter was accidently 
burned to death. Jehu resides on the homestead, and is one 



The Old and New Monongahela. 465 

of the solid farmers of Allen township. His first wife was a 
daughter of the late Hugh McKee; his present wife was a 
Smith from the Youghiogheny valley. Andrew Dunlevy's 
wife died in 1845. 

Andrew by birth and profession was a Presbyterian in reli- 
gion. At his birth Dr. Ralston had not commenced his minis- 
try at Horseshoe Meeting House, now only known by the 
rough stones that mark the graves of the early settlers. Dr. 
James Finley had just closed his earthly labors as pastor of 
Rehoboth, where Dunlevy's parents were accustomed to wor- 
ship with his uncle, Col. Cook. Dunlevy was one of the 
number who organized, about 1840, the Maple Creek Presby- 
terian Church, and during its existence was a member of the 
sessions. 

In the eldership of that church he was associated with such 
men as Moss, Baker, McJunkin and Simeon Jackman, all of 
whom have passed to the beyond. In politics Dunlevy was 
always a Democrat of the Jeffersonian school, and even the 
Know Nothing allurements of 1854 could not entice him 
from his inborn Democracy. He always possessed the confi- 
dence of his fellow citizens as an upright Christian gentleman. 
Honest in habit, generous in heart, kind in disposition and de- 
voted to his coimtry and church, he was ranked among those 
whose place it would be hard to fill. His remains were buried 
along side those of his wife in the Speer's graveyard, opposite 
Bellevcrnon. 

Hazeluaker. 

Peter Hazelbaker immigrated to this country from Anspach, 
in Germany, as an English soldier during the revolution. He 
was taken prisoner by the American forces, was never ex- 
changed, and at the close of the war he settled in the United 
States. Shortly after the war Peter married Elizabeth Shively, 
daughter of Daniel Shively, Of Berkely county, Va., now 
West Virginia. 

After their marriage Peter and his wife immigrated to 



4:^*5 The Old and New Mononyahela. 

Washington County, Pa., and settled in an old log house on 
the farm now owned by one of the heirs of S. A. Chester, in 
Allen Township. He died in 1800 and his remains are buried 
in the field just above the present residence of Major Henry 
Spliarr. Peter had six sons, Peter, Daniel, John, Jacob, 
Abraham and George. John was an old time school teacher. 
He taught the first school in Bellevernon. The kitchen part of 
the residence of the late Aunt Polly Corwin on Main street 
was the schoolhouse. He and Daniel died in the West. Peter 
died six weeks after the death of his father and was buried in 
the same graveyard. Abraham died near Brush Creek in Ohio. 
Jacob was well known in the community. He was a shoe- 
maker by trade and lived many years in the stone house just 
above Bellevernon now owned by R. C. Schmertz & Co. 
About 1848 he removed to a farm near Perryopolis where he 
died. George lived beyond all of his brothers. He was born 
in Berkely County, West Va. , January 18, 1790. His wife 
was Matilda Dunlevy sister of Andrew Dunlevy. She died in 
1853. After his marriage he erected the lower part of the 
old house on Main street in Bellevernon where now stands the 
house owned by A. L. Brown and occupied by Abe Lewis. In 
the old house George and his wife first set up housekeeping 
and there he carried on the hat business until he and Dunlevy 
started the shop in the Billiter house. He also resided for a 
time on the Gould farm, then on the Levi Johnson, then on 
the Rutan farm opposite Columbia owned now by W. J. Man- 
own. He moved from this farm to the Cooper farm near the 
mouth of Maple Creek and fimilly in 1841 he purchased the 
farm on which he died, in Allen township, from Abia Allen 
and Robert Stockdale. 

His son Andrew married a daughter of Thomas Fryc and died 
about the year 1856 near Lock No. 4. Joseph died at the 
homestead unmarried. Anthony lived for many years in the 
house near the mouth of Maple Creek now owned by Charles 
Baltzee. He carried on the flouring mill which stood between 
the dwelling and the present bridge. The mill has passed 



The Old and New Monongahela. 467 

away. Anthony over thirty years ago moved to Illinois where 
he died a few years since. Jacob married a Miss Crow and 
lives in Clarion County. George married a Miss Riggs and 
lives on part of the homestead and John resides in Allen town- 
ship not far from Wood's Run. 

Matilda married Joseph Wolf and resides in the west. 
Mary married Jehu Cooper, now deceased. She lives in Illi- 
nois. Sarah Ann is the wife of Addison Cummings, of Allen 
township. Margaret married R. C. Guffey and di^d in North 
Bellevernon. George Hazelbaker, the father of this large 
family, died on the home farm, June 23, 1880. He united 
with Rehoboth church in his seventy-fifth year and remained 
in that membership until his death. He was a good citizen, a 
genial neighbor, and above all a Christian. His remains were 
interred in Howe Cemetery. 

Thomas Wakd and Frederick Cooper: 

Thos. Ward built the first house in Bellevernon. In the 
summer of 1815 he purchased the lot on the corner of Main 
and Second streets, now owned by Howard McClure and Mrs. 
Kittle, and built thereon the well known house now moved to 
the upper end of the lot, and occupied now (1893) by James 
Haggorty's widow. Before moving into this house Ward re- 
sided in the old house that stood near the present home of 
Wm. Kyle in North Bellevernon. 

He was a most skillful mechanic in every art of making in 
wood. He was born May 23, 1776, but where we cannot say, 
or just when he came to this vicinity. He lived to a good old 
age in Bellevernon, and when the decrepitude of age prevented 
his earning his own living he was kindly taken to the house- 
hold of his children in Ohio, where some thirty years ago lie 
died. His wife was a daughter of the old Frederick Cooper 
who settled about 1768^ on the farm lately owned bj Thomas 
Redd, and the farm or Robert McKain, both of which now 
form the site of the flourishing town of Charleroi. This settle- 
ment was made after the death of his first wife. On this farm' 



4:6s The Old and New Monongahela. 

(then embracing both the Redd and McKain land) he reared a 
shanty or cabin under the protection of the fort that was located 
near the present Gibsonton distillery on the opposite side of 
the river. Notwithstanding the fort, the depredations of the 
Indians were so frequent and dangerous that the new emigrant 
concluded to return for a time to the east, where he had left 
his son John and two daughters, Polly and Betsy. Whilst in 
the east he nuu-ried Elizabeth Kyle as his second wife, and in 
a short time after the marriage he returned to his farm on the 
Monongahela, with his new wife and children, where he re- 
mained to the day of his death. His remains were no doubt 
interred in the family burying ground yet to be seen in the 
orchard above the present residence of Mrs. Thomas Redd. 
Frederick's son Valentine iuherited the farm and lived at his 
death in the old house that stood not far from the present brick 
house. Jehu, son of Valentine, inherited the upper part of 
the land and in his day erected the brick house. He sold, 
before going west, to A. P. Frye. whose heirs sold to 
Thomas Redd, who in 1890 sold the farm, excepting 
the house and surroundings, to the Charleroi Land 
Company. The lower part of the original Cooper farm 
was sold at administrator's or executor's sale, Daniel Van 
Voorhis becoming purchaser, who in his day sold it to his son 
John F. John F. sold it to Elgy Yan Voorhis, his nephew, 
now of Kansas City, Missouri. After a short residence on it 
Elgy sold the farm to Robert McKain, a greater part of which 
he sold in 1890 to the Charleroi Land Company, on which 
they are now building the flourishing town of Charleroi. 

[From Bellevenion Enterprise, May 20th, 189::.] 

Captain Josei'h Shei'Lek. 

Died Sabbath, May 15th, 1892, at his late residence in Ros- 
traver township, AVestmoreland county. Pa. He was born 
March tUh, 1807, on the old home farm recently owned by his 
brother, Lewis, but now occupied by David Deatcrly. He 



The Old and Nev) Monongahela. iOU 

was the oldest of seven children of Isaac and Sarah H. Shep- 
ler. His ancestors on both sides of the family emigrated from 
Germany and settled in Virginia, near Winchester. The 
grandfather of the deceased, . Mathias Shepler, with two 
brothers, Peter and Philip, moved from Virginia before the 
war of the revolution and settled in Rostraver, taking up farms 
on the Monongahehi hill in that township, on part of which 
his descendant, Philip Shepler, now resides. Mathias married 
Margaret Houseman, whose family too was one of the early 
settlers in the township. Their children were John, Philip, 
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Mary, Margaret and Catherine. All 
were married and raised families, and all are deceased. Isaac, 
the father of Joseph, the subject of this sketch, married Sarah, 
daughter of Joseph and MarV Hill. Her father, at the age of 
eighteen, came to Rostraver township, before the Braddock 
expedition, and is supposed to have been the first white settler 
in the region included within the township. Isaac had as 
children Joseph, Lewis, Samuel, Margaret, Elizabeth, Sarah 
and Polly. Lewis died December, 1881, on the farm on 
which he was born, now owned by David Deaterly, above 
named. Polly married James Wright, and are both dead. 
Samuel, brother of Joseph, was bora July 14:th, 1814, and 
resided on and owned a farm adjoining Joseph, being a portion 
of the land taken up by his grandfather Hill. He is now deceased. 
He had been twice married. His first wife was Eveline Steele, 
whom he married December 12th, 1831). She died April 18th, 
1850. Jan. 29th, 1852, he married Elizabeth Couldren. Eliza- 
beth, now deceased, was the wife of Davis Shepler, now 
deceased. He lived on and OM^ied the farm recently sold l)y 
his heirs to David W. Owens, in Rostraver. Sarah, another 
sister of Joseph, is the wife of Jehu Stephens, a farmer living 
in Washington township, Fayette county, I'a. Isaac Shepler, 
father of Joseph, died December 10th, 1837, and his wife sur- 
vived him many years, dying July, 1869. The remains of 
both are interred in the graveyard at Fell's church. 

Capt. Joseph Shepler passed his whole life in Rostraver 

33 



4:70 The Old ayid Neio Monongahela. 

township; lie was educated in the schools of the township, and 
always attended church within its limits. Until the age of 22 
he lived on the homestead where he was born. He married 
April 16, 1829, Mary, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Black- 
burn, who lived on a farm not far from what is now known as 
Rostraver postoffice. Mary, wife of Joseph Shepler, was born 
March 28, 1807, being twenty-two days younger than her hus- 
band and she survives him. Her family was among the early 
settlers in Rostraver. For one year after marriage Joseph and 
wife lived in the house of his father, then went to housekeep- 
ing on one of his father's farms, where he resided and carried 
on farming for eight years. In 1838 he moved to the farm on 
which he died. Capt. Shepler had been a member of FelTs 
M. E. Church over sixty years, and one of its chief supporters. 
His wife joined the church at the same place and time and re-' 
mains in its membership to this day. Joseph Shepler had four 
children, two sons and two daughters. Sarah born January 7, 
1830, is the wife of William Jones, of the Bellevernon bank- 
ing house of S. F. Jones & Co. They have three children, 
Ella Jane, Joseph Shepler and Samuel. Yiolet another 
daughter of Joseph Shepler, was born August 20, 1833 and is 
the wife of Capt. Martin Coulson, now residing on a farm near 
Monongahela City, Pa. They have as children Joseph S., 
Margaret E. and Alfred Kerr. John B., son of Capt. Shepler, 
was born February 18, 1835, married Josephine Claywcll, of 
Jo Daviess County, 111. Their children are Shedrack Clay- 
well, and David Richey. Isaac Hill the remaining son was 
born March 20, 1840, married Eveline, daughter of Samuel 
Shepler, to them were born James Kerr, Mary Blackburn, 
William Jones and Elizabeth. The death of Capt. Joseph was 
the first in his family or in any of his descendants. He left 12 
grandchildren, eight of whom acted as pall bearers at his 
funeral — two sons from each of his children's families. In the 
church Joseph Shepler had acted well his part in the offices of 
Trustee, Steward and class-leader and in all other church 
work to which he was called. In his native township, to 



The Old and Nero Monongahela. 471 

which he was so devoted, he held every office and performed 
his duties with fidelity. He was a man of undoubted and 
well known integrity. 

He was a military man by nature and disposition. He re- 
ceived the sobriquet of Captain by serving at the age of 
twenty-one in that capacity in the first company Eighty-eighth 
regiment of State Volunteers. He held the position of Cap- 
tain for seven years in this company; was afterwards Captain 
for five years of the Monongahela Blues and First Lieutenant 
of the Rostraver Cavalry for seven years. His voice and com- 
manding appearance, together with liis knowledge of military 
tactics, gave him a first rank as an officer. He had a wonder- 
ful memory, especially for the things of long ago. He seemed 
to have never forgotten the incidents of the neighborhood from 
boyhood to the day of his death. He was firm in his convic- 
tions of right, yet gentle and hospitable in the inner man. He 
was a Jackson Democrat, having voted for him twice, and 
always voted for the Democratic candidate for President since 
he cast his first vote in 1828. He believed the hope of the 
country was in the carrying out of the principles of Democra- 
cy as first enunciated by Jeft'erson and confirmed by Jackson 
in his two administrations. He recalled to mind very vividly 
the incidents of the Sabbath day in 1825, when Gen, LaFay- 
otte passed through the Forks by way of Rehoboth valley. 

His funeral took place on Tuesday, May IT, from his late 
residence. His remains were interred in Bellevernon Ceme- 
tery. His pastor. Rev. Hildebrand, and his old friend. Rev. 
Mcllyar, officiated at the last rites. 

[i<Y(jiu Bellevernon Eiiterirrise.} 

Crossed Over the River. — Mrs, Robert J. Linton. 

On Wednesday morning, Scptoml)cr21, 1887, at 4:. 40 o'clock, 
Mrs. Robert J. Linton quietly and peacefully ended her days 
on earth and went to join the countless army who have gone 
before into the land from whence no traveler returns. She 
was in her 51st year, and during all her life she was an earnest 



472 The Old and Nmjo Monongahela. 

and zealous Christian woman. There seemed no task that her 
Master desired her to do, that she would not do. She was a 
member of the First Presbyterian Church of this place, and 
when her health would permit she was always found among the 
worshippers. During the past eight months she knew she could 
not get well, but there was no complaining or fretting. Her 
thoughts seemed to be ' 'Thy will, not mine, be done, ' ' and when 
the time came she losed her hold on earthly things and went to 
join the host where sorrow and parting are never known. She 
was married to Mr. Linton on August 30, 1864, and leaves a 
husband and three children to mourn her loss. The funeral 
services took place on Friday at 2 p. m. from the Presbyterian 
Church, and the remains were interred in the Bollevernon 
cemetery. 

Mrs. Caroline S. Linton was born at Hudson, Ohio, 1836. 
She was the third child of Rev. Giles and Mrs. Electa Doolit- 
tle. Her father was a man prevalent in prayer and unshaken 
faith in a covenant keeping God. He died in the prime of his 
days, committing his children in the hand of his God, saying, 
though I had a bag of gold to leave them, I could not be as 
sure of their being provided for. Mrs. Linton ever felt that 
her father's prayers followed her. At eight years of age she 
was placed in the primary department of the Hudson Female 
Seminary, receiving most of her education in that institution, 
under the charge of the most accomplished New England 
teachers, but later was sent to the Western Female Seminary 
at Oxford, Ohio, where she graduated in '58, and taught suc- 
cessfully for a few years. In '61 she was married to Robert 
J. Linton, and they moved to this place in 1870. Three chil- 
dren were given them, and it was her unspeakable jo}' to see 
them all brought into the visible church. 

The tender kindnesses from friends and neighbors that 
flowed in a constant stream into Mrs. Linton's sick room, are 
known only to the Lord, and her sincere thanks and those of 
the family are returned to all with prayer that the Lord will 
abundantly reward all with his grace. 



The Old and New Monongahela. 473 

Rehoboth. 

The Presbyterian Clinrch of Rehoboth was organized in 
1778, by Rev. James Finley. 

In 1784 Mr. Finley became pastor of this church. He con- 
tinued as its pastor until his death January 6th, 1795. His 
remains are in the church graveyard. Preaching was held in 
an old log house near the present (1893) residence of Joseph 
A. Cook, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county. Pa., 
about one mile from the present church building. In Rev. 
Finley ""s time the old hewed log church was erected, which 
stood about where the public road is, in front of the present 
church. This log church gave way, in 1803, to the brick 
building known in all western Pennsylvania as the brick church, 
and even at this late day (1893) Rehoboth is called by many 
as the brick church. The present building was erected in 
1836. Two years after the death of Finley, Rev. David Smith 
became pastor, and continued as such until his death, August 
24th, 1803. Rev. Smith was succeeded by Rev. William 
Wylie, who was installed in 1805, and continued pastor until 
in the spring of 1817. 

In June, 1817, Rev. Robert Johnson became pastor and 
continued as such until December, 1832. In December, 1834, 
Rev. N. H. Gillett was installed pastor. In 1848, at his own 
request, he was released from the pastoral charge of Rehoboth. 
In 1849 Rev. James R. Hughes became pastor. In 1865 he 
resigned to take charge of the Blairsville Seminary. 

Rev. James R. Hughes was born in Beaver County, Pa., 
March 17, 1819. He is one of ten children of the late Rev. 
Thomas E. Hughes who was the first minister ordained north 
of the Ohio river. James R. Hughes is the only survivor of 
seven brothers, four of whom were ministers. Watson, John 
D. and William having served their Master here for many 
years, have gone to receive their reward. James R. Hughes 
received his education preparatory to College in the good old 
academies of Steubonvillo and Wollsville, Ohio. In 1843 he 



474 The Old and Neio Monongaliela. 

entered the Junior class of Wasliington, Pa., College and 
graduated in 1845. Soon after graduating lie entered the 
Western Theological Seminary. In 1848 he was licensed to 
preach. He was called to Rehoboth church near Bellevernon, 
Pa., in 1849, and w^as installed November 8, in the same year, 
by a committee appointed by Redstone Presbytery, consisting 
of Revs. Samuel Wilson and John McClintock. In 1869 he 
was called to his present (1893) charge in Dayton, Ohio, where 
his ministrations have been successful in building up one of 
the largest churches in that city. His wife was a daughter of 
the late David Stewart of Huntingdon County, Pa. She died 
in 1868. 

Rev. Hughes was succeeded by Rev. Loyal Young Graham, 
who was installed October 11, 1865, and dismissed at his re- 
quest to accept a call to the Olivet Presbyterian Church, of 
Philadelphia, where he remains this day, October, 1893. Rev. 
Graham was succeeded by Rev. G, M. Hair, who was installed 
December 20, 1872. In June, 1874, Rev. Hair resigned, 
and was succeeded by Rev. Marcus Wishart, who was installed 
October 28, 1874, and resigned April 24, 1877. August 30, 
1874, Rev. A. F. Boyd was installed as his successor. De- 
cember 11, 1883, Rev. Boyd had, at his own request, the pas- 
toral relation dissolved. October 24, 1884, Rev, W. G. 
Nevin was installed as pastor. February 1, 1887, he w^as, at 
his own request, released from the charge to accept a call to 
the Presbyterian church at Sharon, Pa. Rev. S. F. Farmer, 
D. D., was installed pastor April 30, 1887. In the autumn of 
1891 he was released from Rehoboth to accept a call from the 
new church of Charleroi, in Washington county. Pa. In 
the latter part of 1892, Rev. Charles A. Clarke was installed 
pastor, and remains as such to this date, October, 1893. 

Death of Mks. Anna M. Bakek. 

Died at Bellevernon, Pa., November 27th, 1885, in the 40th 
ye'ar of her age, Mrs. Anna M. Baker. 

Mrs. Baker was the daughter of Joseph and Salome Shoe- 



The Old and New Monongahela. 475 

maker, was born and grew up to womanhood on her father's 
farm near Apollo, Pa. At an early age she united with the 
Presbyterian church of Apollo, under the ministry of Rev. 
Robert McMillen. She was married October 12th, 1876, to 
Rev. Perrin Baker, then pastor of the churches of Boiling 
Spring and Appleby Manor. She was the mother of two chil- 
dren, viz: Theodore and Daniel. 

She was naturally of a steadfast disposition and grace, built 
upon this foundation an inflexible devotion to divine truth, 
which she received with implicit faith and reverential fear. 
She was unusually gifted with womanly grace and tidiness, so 
that she made beautiful whatever she wrought with her hands. 
Her religion was rather practical than emotional, and though 
not without doubts and fears in her mental struggles, she ap- 
proached her latter end" with steadfast confidence and peace. 

Hon. George Plumer. 

We are indebted to the writings of the late Isaac Craig of 
Allegheny, Pa., for the following interesting biographical 
sketch of Hon. George Plumer. 

George Plumer was of English descent. His ancestors were 
of an ancient and honorable family. Members of the Plumer 
family were among the earliest settlers in Massachusetts. From 
that State Jonathan Plumer immigrated to Pennsylvania in 
1750. He was a commissary to General Braddock in 1755, 
and after Braddock's inglorious defeat he settled at Old Town, 
near Fort Cumberland. A tradition in the Plumer family has 
it that he* was with Forbes when that "Head of Iron" took 
})Ossession of Fort Duquesne in 1758, and named it Pittsburgh. 
He returned east with Forbes' army, and located at Fort 
Frederick. Here he met and married Miss Anna Farrel. 
In 1759 we have an account of Plumer at Fort Pitt, but not 
until 1761 did he bring his family to the west. In that year, 
by permission of Colonel Boquet, he built a cabin and "made 
valuable improvements" on a tract of 1,500 acres of land 
along the Allegheny river which he had become jointly inter- 



4 70 The Old and New Monongahela. 

ested in with Colonel Croglian, who had obtained it on a grant 
from the Indians. This land includes the location of the 
United States Arsenal and the Allegheny Cemetery. 

The peace of Fontainebleau, "which secured to the British 
crown this long-disputed section," was signed on November 3, 
17 02. Immediately after British possession was assured emi- 
grants began to flock in from Eastern Pennsylvania, Virginia, 
Scotland and the North of Ireland. Jonathan Plumer's cabin 
was one of the pioneer structures outside of Fort Pitt. It was 
located about 100 yards east of where the old Ewalt mansion 
now stands, which was built by Samuel Ewalt, who purchased 
the property when it was sold by the sheriff at the suit of 
Croghan's creditors. In that rude frontier cabin, whose blue 
wood smoke curling among the trees was a guide for the 
settlers on the 5th day of December, 1702, the first white 
child was born west of the Allegheny mountains under British 
dominion. He was christened George Plumer, and his after 
career was as notable as his birth. 

The youthful Plumer became a noted hunter and scout, and 
occasionally accompanied parties of surveyors. Soon after the 
close of the revolution he met Miss Margaret Lowrey, the 
youngest daughter of Colonel Alexander Lowrey, of Lancaster 
county. Miss Margaret was visiting her sisters here, Mrs. 
Daniel Elliott and Mrs. John Hay, when she met the strapping 
young backwoodsman in buckskins. It was a case of love 
from the beginning, and shortly the young couple were en- 
gaged. When the engagement was announced to Mrs. Hay 
there was a storm. The Lowrey family were wealthy and 
proud. Mrs. Hay opposed the match and threatened to send 
Miss Margaret home. Before this could be done the youthful 
couple set an example which has been followed by many ardent 
lovers since. They eloped, and were married in August, 1784, 
but the girl henceforth was an outcast from home. 

The first home of the newly wedded couple was on the right 
bank of Pucketos (now Puckety) creek, near Fort Crawford, 
within the present boundaries of Westmoreland county, where 



The Old and New Monongahela. 477 

Flumer had taken up 300 acres of land and built a log cabin. 
Here he conducted his aristocratic bride, and the two bravely 
began the struggle of life together without a hope of the 
father's forgiveness. Plumer cleaned the land and hunted the 
game that abounded in the woods. They were often annoyed 
by Indians, and were compelled to take refuge in the woods 
and occasionally in Fort Crawford. There is something 
pathetic in the situation of the high born girl who preferred to 
share the dangers and privations of such a life with the man 
she loved, rather than give him up for the luxuries of the 
Lowrey home and a share of the Lowrey fortune. 

George Plumer and Robert Hays being called upon to per- 
form a month's military duty as scouts, a Pittsburgh attorney 
took advantage of their absence to send a surveyor to survey 
their lands, and had a patent taken out before they knew any- 
thing about it. By this scoundrelly action they lost their all. 
Shortly after this Plumer met his father-in-law for the first 
time. Colonel Lowrey had a large body of laud north of 
Hanna's town, near Greensburg, about which there was litiga- 
tion, and preparatory to the trial of the case, he was there 
with a party of surveyors to fix the boundaries. Plumer was 
hunting in that direction and met the party. Being well 
acquainted with the surveyors, he shook hands all around, and 
then he was presented to his astonished father-in-law. 

The unexpected meeting was a triflle embarrassing to Plumer. 
He invited his father-in-law^ to go home with him and see his 
daughter and grandchildren. But the Colonel declined, and 
bade him a cold farewell. But in a day or so who should 
appear at the little log cabin in the w'oods but the stately Colo- 
nel Lowrey, unannounced, but greeted with a tearful welcome. 
The Colonel fairly overwhelmed his long lost daughter and her 
little sons with embraces, and everything went well after that. 
That reconciliation between a disobedient daughter and an 
irate father was notable as the first event of its kind west of 
the Alleghenies. 

Lowrey followed up the reconciliation by giving Plumer and 



478 The Old and New Monongahela. 

his wife their choice of three fine tracts of land near the 
mouth of Big Sewickley creek. The selection was made and 
Plumer erected a house at the mouth of the Sewickley, near 
West Newton. So attracted was Col. Lowrey with his son-in- 
law's enterprise and thrift that two years later he presented him 
£800 ($4,000) to erect mills on his property. 

The next year the Colonel came again and found the saw 
mill running, and masons at work on the foundation of the 
grist mill. He was delighted and presented Plumer with £300 
more and sent him burr stones for the mill. Plumer after- 
ward sold his mill and built a large square log house on the 
upper portion of his farm, where he spent the remainder of his 
days. He went into the distilling and mercantile business in 
1808 and carried them on with great success. Shortly after 
this his public career began. He was elected to the Legislature 
by his admiring constituents in 1812, and was re-elected in 
1813, 1814, 1815 and 1817. In 1820 he was elected a repre- 
sentative to the seventeenth Congress from the Westmoreland 
district. He was then in the prime of his vigorous life, and 
performed efficient, though modest service, in the national 
legislature. 

Mr. Plumer was re-elected to the eighteenth and nineteenth 
Congresses, and after that retired to private life. When urged 
to allow the use of his name as a candidate for Congress again 
in 1832 he positively declined. In 1818 he lost his wife, that 
gentle and steadfast companion of his joys and sorrows. He 
afterward remarried. 

Mr. Plumer was a pillar of the early Presbyterian denomi- 
nation here, and was one of the nine ruling elders elected to 
select a site and establish a theological seminary west of the 
mountains. He did not favor the site finally selected on Hog- 
back Hill, Allegheny, but favored the purchase of Braddock's 
Fields for the purpose. He died January 8th, 1843, at the 
ripe age of eighty years, six months and three days. 

This valiant pioneer left a numerous and vigorous line of 
descendants. Branches of the Plumer family are scattered 



The Old and New Monongahela. 479 

tlirougliout the state and in the western states. Jolm Campbell 
Plnnicr, who distinguished himself in the war of 1812, at the 
seige of Fort Meigs and in other engagements, and who was a 
member of the Legislature and State Senate from the West- 
moreland district, was his oldest son. 

GiBsoNTON Cemetery. 

The Gibsonton Cemetery Company was incorporated June 4, 
1890. The grounds are located on the property of Gibsonton 
Mills in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county. Pa., and 
within one-half mile of the Borough of Bellevernon, Pa. The 
Board of Directors in 1893 are T. L. Daly, Hugh Price, John 
W. Wilkinson, H. C. Daly, John W. Irons, James Frost, 
Jacob Irons. President, James Frost. Hugh Price, Secretary, 
Treasurer and Superintendent. Already (1893) lots have been 
sold^enough to make the corporation self-sustaining. 

Long Branch. 

By the Court of Washington county, Pa.,, in 1893, a certain 
portion of Allen township was incorporated into a borough, 
under the name of Long Branch.' ■ This borough includes with 
its limits territory exclusively rural, no village belonging 
thereto. This is said to be the first instance of the kind in the 
state. 

Speers. 

Application will be made to the Court of Washington county 
on the 13th day of November, 1893, for the incorporation of 
the above village into a borough. It is situated opposite Belle- 
vernon, in Allen township, Washington county, and is a fast 
growing town, with ample room for manufacturing sites. 

Stockdale. 

The application for the incorporation of this village into a 
borough will also be made on the 13th day of November, 
1893. This village is situated above Allenport, in Washing- 
ton county, on the Monongahela river, and is a rapidly 
growing town. 



480 Tlie Old and New Monongahela. 

Glassport. 

This is a new town laid out by the United States Glass 
Company. It is located on the east bank of the Monongahela 
river, about three miles above McKeesport, in Allegheny 
county, Pa. The McKeesport and Bellevernon Railroad runs 
through the town. It is one of the most desirable sites for a 
manufacturing town on the river. The United States Glass 
Company are at this time, November, 1893, erecting a mam- 
moth brick glass works on this site, and other large plants are 
in contemplation. 

[From the Monongahela Rciyiiblican.A^ 

CoL, Sam. B. Bentley. 

Samuel Black, the first of this family in Washington county 
of whom there is any record, was born iu 1775 in County 
Down, Ireland. In 1791 he came to America, and in 1793 
embarked in business as a trader at Parkison's Ferry. His 
oldest daughter was Elizabeth, wdio married William Bentley, 
and her son was Samuel Black Bentley, who died of appoplexy 
at his home in Monongahela City on Sabbath day morning, 
October 29th, 1893. 

Col. S. B. Bentley was born in Monongahela City, April 
29tli, 1826, son of William and Elizabeth Bentley. He re- 
ceived a common school education. 

He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of 17, 
and was a most devoted and a very loyal member. His fealty 
to the Methodist church was steadfast, it held first place always 
in his affections. He was a class leader, a Sunday school 
superintendent, a steward, and for nearly forty years a choir 
leader. No society ever had a more devoted member — no one 
a more industrious or self-sacrificing adherent — and in his long 
life the Christian idea pervaded, and Bible morality controlled 
him. 

Mr. Bentley was twice married — to Miss Graham, February 
22nd, 1847, and after her death to Miss Rabe, February 28th, 
1856, who survives him. Their children are Charles, Harry, 



The Old and New Monongahela. 481 

Millie and Mary, who now mourn the loss of a father whose 
tenderness and watchful care are now a sacred memory. 

Col. Bentley was a patriot — he loved his country and its 
flag — he was an honored member of the Grand Arm)' of the 
Republic. That patriotism lead him in early life to join the 
military. He was a private in the old Monongahela Blues; 
was commissioned first lieutenant in the Monongahela Artillery 
by the governor in 1857; was commissioned colonel of the 
seventh regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, by Governor Packer 
in 1858. When the war broke out he was commissioned by 
Governor Curtin quartermaster of the 140th volunteers, and 
served throughout the war in that capacity, a trusted and hon- 
orable career. When the war was ended Col. Bentley came 
home and has lived here since. 

The editor of this paper begs here to record an incident 
which mirrors the man. The story has been told before, but 
not printed. In one of the campaigns, I was sent by General 
Crawford on an afternoon to find his ammunition train and 
bring it up to the command. Going through the wood on that 
errand, a small party was observed, and riding over to where 
it was assembled I heard the voice of S. B. Bentley saying, 

" Hold on, men; this will not do; ■ — was too good a man 

to be buried without some sort of Christian ceremony.'" I 
pushed my horse through the pines, and wnis an onlooker while 
our friend and comrade, Bentley, led in a hymn, and then 
kneeling offered a prayer. My seeing this was purely acci- 
dental — we were in different wings of the army — but I can 
never forget it: the shallow grave, the yellow clay, the dead 
soldier, the interested and upturned faces of the blue coated 
kneeling comrades, the sad song of requiem, and the short but 
earnest prayer. Unfortunately the name of the dead officer is 
not now remembered, although Col. Bentley has frequently 
named him, and I understand his body was subsequently 
recovered and removed from its bed under the soughing pines 
where I had witnessed its wierd and solemn funeral. This 
little story tells of our dead friend's tenderness, his piety ajid 



482 The Old and New Monooigahela. 

his respect for the dead. How often here at home we have 
all heard his voice at funerals, how willingly he responded to 
the sorrows of others. 

Col. Bentley was a member of the Masonic Order; was 
made a Mason in Beallsville Lodge, and became a charter 
member of Henry M. Phillips Lodge, No. 337, this city, when 
it was instituted, May 5th, 1860, along with John Withrow, 
David Riddle, Shesh Bentley and A. J. Buffington. 

He was elected to councils in 1856, when H. D. Cooper was 
burgess. He was an Odd Fellow and a member of the Equit- 
able Aid Union, which order will pay $1,100 benefits to his 
family. 

In his death our town loses a prominent figure, always full 
of public spirit, always ready to help, always efficient. The 
church will feel his loss more, and his family most. When he 
is laid to rest and the grave shall have covered him, Mononga- 
hela will be bereft of a man whose life is a part of its history. 
The suddenness of his death is a reminder once more that 

•• There is a reaper, Death, 

And with his sickle keen, 

He reaps the bearded grain at a breath."' 

(From the DalU.l Monongaheia Rcpnbllcan,) 

Mrs. Jane Van Yoorhis. 

At the home of her daughter Mrs. Snyder, Baidland, near 
Monongahela City, October 29, 1893, occurred the death of 
an aged lady, whoso lovable traits and christian life endeared 
her to a host of friends, young and old. This lady was Mrs. 
Jane Van Voorhis, mother of John Van Voorhis, and sister 
of Capt. Robert Phillips of this city. Mrs. Van Voorhis for 
some weeks had been a sufferer from grippe, but within a few 
days past seemed to regain her usual health and spirits. Her 
granddaughters spent Friday with her and found the old lady 
cheerful and well, making merry their day by her lively ways 
and witty sayings. Saturday night she retired as usual ; about 
one o'clock her daughter, Mrs. Snyder, was called to the bed^ 



The Old and New Monongahela. 483 

side by a moan, and was horrified to find her mother dying. 
The physician pronounced it neuralgia of the heart. Jane 
Phillips was born in 1810, was married November 28, 1829, 
to Abram Van Voorhis. Seven children were born to them. 
Three of whom have been dead some years. Lucinda, Serena 
and Eliza, (Mrs. Thornton Watkins.) 

The four living are John Yan Voorhis, of this city ; Ema- 
line, Mrs. Joseph Brown, of Peabody, Kansas, Mrs. Caroline 
Jones and Mrs. Cynthia Snyder, of Baidland. 

Since her husband's death, some years ago, Mrs. Van Voor- 
his made her home near her son John on the old home place 
in Carrol township, but at his removal to town, went to live 
with her daughter Cynthia, from whose home in Baidland she 
will be laid to rest in the Van Voorhis cemetery. 

Mrs. Van Voorhis was a frequent visitor with her son's 
family here and has made many Monongahela friends. Her 
erect figure and sweet face framed in a wealth of snow white 
hair were always admired, and it seemed as if time had but 
lightly touched the energetic, intelligent woman, whose 83 
years have been weighted with loving thought and deed for 
those nearest and dearest to her. Almost all her life a con- 
sistent christian, she sleeps the sleep that the Master giveth 
his beloved. 

Building and Loan Association of Bellevernon, Pa. 

The Southern Building and Loan Association, of Knoxville, 
Tennessee, was one among the first associations established 
here by J. P. Miller, Special Agent, and has now nearly four 
hundred shares of installment stock, besides some paid up 
stock that is drawing six per cent, interest. On February 20th, 
1892, Mr. Miller organized this association with S. F. Jones, 
President; J. C. Cunningham, Vice President; J. S. Jones, 
Treasurer; and Leigh tty Stcen as Secretary, with the following 
Board of Directors: S. M. Graham, Thomas G. Brown, John 
C. Lynn, J, S. Jones, J. C. Cunningliam, S. F. Jones, Leightty 
Steen. 



484 The Old and Neiv Monongahela. 

The next association to organize was the First United States 
Excelsior Building Association, with office at W. V. Mackey's 
store on Main street. The officers were R. J. Linton, President; 
Wm. P. Mackej, Vice President; Perry L. Byard, Secretary; 
J. S. Jones, Treasurer, with depository with S. F. Jones & 
Co., bankers. This association was short lived, as they were 
never able to make a loan; they closed up business in about a 
year from the time they were organized as an association, and 
failed for want of patronage. 

Another thriving association that has gotten a foothold here 
is the First National Building and Loan Association, of Pitts- 
burgh, Pa. Some stock is held here, but no local association 
has been organized, but in the near future they expect to have 
an organization. 

October 7th, 1893, The German National Building and Loan 
Association, of Pittsburgh, organized an office here with the 
following officers: J. C. Cunningham, President; Samuel 
Brogan, Yice President; P. L. Byard, Secretary and Treasurer; 
Medical Examiner, N. Bert Lowman, M. D. ; Appraisers, 
James R. Ferguson, M. H. Arters and S. M. Graham; Direc- 
tors, J. C. Cunningham, Samuel Brogan, P. L. Byard, M. II. 
Arters, James R. Ferguson, J. O. Springer, John L. Nelson, 
S. C. Kelly, C. M. Jones, N. Bert Lowman and S. M. Graham; 
Attorney, Hon. Edward E. Robbins, Greensburg, Pa. This 
association started in with 350 shares of installment stock, and 
nearly 100 have been added since. 

The Cooperative Savings and Loan Association, of Sioux 
Falls, South Dakota, was organized under the most favorable 
circumstances by Andrew Linn, Esq., November 5th, 1893, 
wdth the following officers: President, J. C. Cunningham; 
Vice President, S. M. Graliam; Secretary, Wood Lang; 
Treasurer, Jos. A. Cook; depository, First National Bank, 
of Bellevernon, Pa. ; Appraisers, William Lang, S. M. Graham 
and J. S. Jones; Directors, C. Reppirt, L. M. Kyle, J. O. 
Springer, E. M. Kyle and John C. Lynn. 



The Old anri Yr„^ MononniihcJu. 485 



CHAKLEROT. 

This town is situated on the Monongahela river, in Fallow- 
field township, Washington county, Pa. The land was pur- 
chased from Robert McKean by the Charleroi Land Company 
in 1890, and was laid out by that company in January, 
1890, the first lot being sold March 4th, 1890. It is now, 
1893, an incorporated borough of nearly 5,000 inhabitants. 
Its industries consist of one of the largest plate glass works in 
the United States, an extensive shovel factory, and Macbeth 
& Co. are now, in October, 1893, erecting a very extensive 
plant for the manufacture of lamp chimneys, etc. There are 
five churches, with another in course of being erected. ^ It has 
also a large public school house with 400 scholars within its 
walls. It has also a mammoth coal works in full operation 
within its limits. It has also three first class licensed hotels. 
In a word — it is the magic city of the valley. 



Death of Robert MoKean. 

He died at his late residence in Charleroi, Washington county, 
Pa., October 24th, 1893. 

He was born in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, March 6th, 
1826. In boyhood he attended the schools of his native 
parish, assisting also in the duties of the farm. January 1st, 
1849, he married Janet Caird, who was born at New Abbey, 
Scotland, a daughter of James Caird, a native and merchant of 
the same place, and a member of the established church. 

Mr. and Mrs. McKean resided on a farm near New Abbey 
for about one year after their marriage, then set sail for 
America. After a voyage of thirty days they landed in New 
York in July, 1850. They proceeded to Newburg, N. Y., 
where they spent about one year, going from that place to 
Johnstown and Allegheny City, Pa., traveling by railroad and 






486 The Old arid Neio Monongahela. / ^ „ . 

canal. In 1851 he worked four months on the canal fo 
seventy-five cents per day. He then moved to Chartiers creek 
about six miles out from Pittsburgh, on the Steubenville tarn 
pike, where he followed gardening for about six years. H^ 
then passed several years at Mansfield, Pa., in gardening an 
farming on a place near that town. In 1865 he purchased an 
moved on a farm of 220 acres near lock No. 4, in FallowfieL 
township, Washington county, Pa., on which in part is situate! 
the town of Charleroi, where he died. He in 1890 sold 140 
acres of this farm to the Charleroi Land Company which laid 
out the town. He was a successful business man and his pla( 
in the new town will be hard to fill. In religion he was tt 
member of the United Presbyterian Church; and in politics 
republican. He leaves a large estate. At his death he was . 
member of the town council. He leaves as children, Jamc: 
S., Postmaster at Pittsburgh; John C, Postmaster at Charl 
roi; William P., conducting the Charleroi greenhouse; Andrew 
C, dealer in real estate in Charleroi; Robert A., civil enginee 
Pittsburgh; Agnes, wife of H. S. Stewart, Pittsburgh; ar 
Mary, wife of Charles Thompson, of Charleroi. 

The funeral exercises took place Thursday, October 26th, 
his late residence. Revs. S. F. Farmer, I). I)., H. S. Gilc 
of Cliarleroi, and Perrin Baker, of Bellevernon, ofiiciatin 
Interment private in Monongahela cemetery. 



The author knew S. B. Bentley from boyhood and o\\ 
much of the loved history of his native town to his kindnf 
in furnishing data. Not many weeks before his death, he s; 
to the author, ' ' Doctor, hurry up your book, or some of 
will be dead before seeing it." Blessed be his memory. T. 
world has been bettered by his life. 



